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Cáceres ARR, Cardone DA, Sanhueza MDLÁ, Bosch IM, Cuello-Carrión FD, Rodriguez GB, Scotti L, Parborell F, Halperin J, Laconi MR. Local effect of allopregnanolone in rat ovarian steroidogenesis, follicular and corpora lutea development. Sci Rep 2024; 14:6402. [PMID: 38493224 PMCID: PMC10944484 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-57102-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2023] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 03/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Allopregnanolone (ALLO) is a known neurosteroid and a progesterone metabolite synthesized in the ovary, CNS, PNS, adrenals and placenta. Its role in the neuroendocrine control of ovarian physiology has been studied, but its in situ ovarian effects are still largely unknown. The aims of this work were to characterize the effects of intrabursal ALLO administration on different ovarian parameters, and the probable mechanism of action. ALLO administration increased serum progesterone concentration and ovarian 3β-HSD2 while decreasing 20α-HSD mRNA expression. ALLO increased the number of atretic follicles and the number of positive TUNEL granulosa and theca cells, while decreasing positive PCNA immunostaining. On the other hand, there was an increase in corpora lutea diameter and PCNA immunostaining, whereas the count of TUNEL-positive luteal cells decreased. Ovarian angiogenesis and the immunohistochemical expression of GABAA receptor increased after ALLO treatment. To evaluate if the ovarian GABAA receptor was involved in these effects, we conducted a functional experiment with a specific antagonist, bicuculline. The administration of bicuculline restored the number of atretic follicles and the diameter of corpora lutea to normal values. These results show the actions of ALLO on the ovarian physiology of the female rat during the follicular phase, some of them through the GABAA receptor. Intrabursal ALLO administration alters several processes of the ovarian morpho-physiology of the female rat, related to fertility and oocyte quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonella Rosario Ramona Cáceres
- Laboratorio de Fisiopatología Ovárica, Instituto de Medicina y Biología Experimental de Cuyo (IMBECU - CONICET Mendoza), Av. Ruiz Leal s/n Parque General San Martín, CP 5500, Mendoza, Argentina
- Facultad de Ingeniería y Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad de Mendoza, Mendoza, Argentina
| | - Daniela Alejandra Cardone
- Laboratorio de Fisiopatología Ovárica, Instituto de Medicina y Biología Experimental de Cuyo (IMBECU - CONICET Mendoza), Av. Ruiz Leal s/n Parque General San Martín, CP 5500, Mendoza, Argentina
| | - María de Los Ángeles Sanhueza
- Laboratorio de Fisiopatología Ovárica, Instituto de Medicina y Biología Experimental de Cuyo (IMBECU - CONICET Mendoza), Av. Ruiz Leal s/n Parque General San Martín, CP 5500, Mendoza, Argentina
| | | | - Fernando Darío Cuello-Carrión
- Laboratorio de Oncología, Instituto de Medicina y Biología Experimental de Cuyo (IMBECU - CONICET Mendoza), Mendoza, Argentina
| | | | - Leopoldina Scotti
- Ovarian Pathophysiology Studies Laboratory, Institute of Experimental Biology and Medicine (IByME) - CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Fernanda Parborell
- Ovarian Pathophysiology Studies Laboratory, Institute of Experimental Biology and Medicine (IByME) - CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Julia Halperin
- Centro de Estudios Biomédicos Básicos, Aplicados y Desarrollo (CEBBAD), Universidad Maimónides, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Myriam Raquel Laconi
- Laboratorio de Fisiopatología Ovárica, Instituto de Medicina y Biología Experimental de Cuyo (IMBECU - CONICET Mendoza), Av. Ruiz Leal s/n Parque General San Martín, CP 5500, Mendoza, Argentina.
- Facultad de Ingeniería y Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad de Mendoza, Mendoza, Argentina.
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Vetri L, Calì F, Saccone S, Vinci M, Chiavetta NV, Carotenuto M, Roccella M, Costanza C, Elia M. Whole Exome Sequencing as a First-Line Molecular Genetic Test in Developmental and Epileptic Encephalopathies. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:1146. [PMID: 38256219 PMCID: PMC10816140 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25021146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2023] [Revised: 01/11/2024] [Accepted: 01/13/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Developmental and epileptic encephalopathies (DEE) are severe neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by recurrent, usually early-onset, epileptic seizures accompanied by developmental impairment often related to both underlying genetic etiology and abnormal epileptiform activity. Today, next-generation sequencing technologies (NGS) allow us to sequence large portions of DNA quickly and with low costs. The aim of this study is to evaluate the use of whole-exome sequencing (WES) as a first-line molecular genetic test in a sample of subjects with DEEs characterized by early-onset drug-resistant epilepsies, associated with global developmental delay and/or intellectual disability (ID). We performed 82 WESs, identifying 35 pathogenic variants with a detection rate of 43%. The identified variants were highlighted on 29 different genes including, 3 new candidate genes (KCNC2, STXBP6, DHRS9) for DEEs never identified before. In total, 23 out of 35 (66%) de novo variants were identified. The most frequently identified type of inheritance was autosomal dominant de novo (60%) followed by autosomal recessive in homozygosity (17%) and heterozygosity (11%), autosomal dominant inherited from parental mosaicism (6%) and X-linked dominant de novo (6%). The most frequent mutations identified were missense (75%) followed by frameshift deletions (16%), frameshift duplications (5%), and splicing mutations (3%). Considering the results obtained in the present study we support the use of WES as a form of first-line molecular genetic testing in DEEs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luigi Vetri
- Oasi Research Institute-IRCCS, 94018 Troina, Italy; (L.V.); (M.V.); (N.V.C.); (M.E.)
| | - Francesco Calì
- Oasi Research Institute-IRCCS, 94018 Troina, Italy; (L.V.); (M.V.); (N.V.C.); (M.E.)
| | - Salvatore Saccone
- Department Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, University of Catania, Via Androne 81, 95124 Catania, Italy
| | - Mirella Vinci
- Oasi Research Institute-IRCCS, 94018 Troina, Italy; (L.V.); (M.V.); (N.V.C.); (M.E.)
| | | | - Marco Carotenuto
- Clinic of Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry, Department of Mental Health, Physical and Preventive Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80131 Naples, Italy;
| | - Michele Roccella
- Department of Psychology, Educational Science and Human Movement, University of Palermo, 90141 Palermo, Italy; (M.R.); (C.C.)
| | - Carola Costanza
- Department of Psychology, Educational Science and Human Movement, University of Palermo, 90141 Palermo, Italy; (M.R.); (C.C.)
| | - Maurizio Elia
- Oasi Research Institute-IRCCS, 94018 Troina, Italy; (L.V.); (M.V.); (N.V.C.); (M.E.)
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3
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Bourque M, Morissette M, Di Paolo T. Neuroactive steroids and Parkinson's disease: Review of human and animal studies. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2024; 156:105479. [PMID: 38007170 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2023.105479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2023] [Revised: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 11/27/2023]
Abstract
The greater prevalence and incidence of Parkinson's disease (PD) in men suggest a beneficial effect of sex hormones. Neuroactive steroids have neuroprotective activities thus offering interesting option for disease-modifying therapy for PD. Neuroactive steroids are also neuromodulators of neurotransmitter systems and may thus help to control PD symptoms and side effect of dopamine medication. Here, we review the effect on sex hormones (estrogen, androgen, progesterone and its metabolites) as well as androstenediol, pregnenolone and dehydroepiandrosterone) in human studies and in animal models of PD. The effect of neuroactive steroids is reviewed by considering sex and hormonal status to help identify specifically for women and men with PD what might be a preventive approach or a symptomatic treatment. PD is a complex disease and the pathogenesis likely involves multiple cellular processes. Thus it might be useful to target different cellular mechanisms that contribute to neuronal loss and neuroactive steroids provide therapeutics options as they have multiple mechanisms of action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mélanie Bourque
- Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec-Université Laval, Axe Neurosciences, 2705, Boulevard Laurier, Québec G1V4G2, Canada
| | - Marc Morissette
- Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec-Université Laval, Axe Neurosciences, 2705, Boulevard Laurier, Québec G1V4G2, Canada
| | - Thérèse Di Paolo
- Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec-Université Laval, Axe Neurosciences, 2705, Boulevard Laurier, Québec G1V4G2, Canada; Faculté de pharmacie, Pavillon Ferdinand-Vandry, 1050, avenue de la Médecine, Université Laval, Québec G1V 0A6, Canada.
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Marecki R, Kałuska J, Kolanek A, Hakało D, Waszkiewicz N. Zuranolone - synthetic neurosteroid in treatment of mental disorders: narrative review. Front Psychiatry 2023; 14:1298359. [PMID: 38116383 PMCID: PMC10729607 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1298359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023] Open
Abstract
With each passing year, the number of people suffering from mental disorders grows at a disturbing speed. Neuroactive steroids are a new promising group of drugs with the potential for use in many diseases like postpartum depression, postnatal psychosis, major depression, insomnia, bipolar disorder, and Parkinson's tremor, due to their ability to modulate the activity of GABAA receptor. Neurosteroids are progesterone metabolites that are synthesized from cholesterol or steroid hormones in various brain regions. They regulate neuronal development, regeneration, and neurotransmission. They are implicated in mood disorders, anxiety disorders, schizophrenia, PTSD, and impulsive aggression. Neurosteroids have been studied for their potential to prevent or treat neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease and HIV-associated dementia. They can promote neurogenesis, neuronal survival, myelination, and memory function. They can also affect the growth and sensitivity of hormone-dependent brain tumors such as gliomas. Zuranolone, a newly registered neurosteroid drug has shown huge flexibility in both clinical and ambulatory treatment thanks to its pharmacokinetic traits, especially the possibility for oral administration, unlike its predecessor Brexanolone. Zuranolone is a synthetic positive allosteric modulator of the GABAA receptor that can be taken orally. The review aims to summarize the current knowledge on zuranolone as a novel neurosteroid drug for various mental disorders, especially for postpartum mental disorders for which this drug was meant originally. It covers studies indexed in the PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases published since 2017. Keywords used in the search, as well as inclusion and exclusion criteria, are given in the aims and methodology section. The review explains the evidence for the role of neurosteroids, especially allopregnanolone, in the pathophysiology and treatment of postpartum depression. It discusses the mechanisms of neurosteroid action, the changes in neurosteroid levels during pregnancy and postpartum, and the clinical trials of brexanolone and zuranolone, two synthetic analogs of allopregnanolone, for postpartum depression. It provides an overview of the biosynthesis and metabolism of neurosteroids in the central and peripheral nervous system. Furthermore, it explains the different sources and pathways of neurosteroid production and the factors that influence their synthesis and regulation, such as stress, hormones, drugs, and genetic variations. The review also explores the potential relevance of neurosteroids for other psychiatric disorders, such as major depression, bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), schizophrenia, and premenstrual dysphoric disorder. Finally, it highlights the associations between neurosteroid levels and symptom severity and the effects of neurosteroid modulation on mood, cognition, and neuroplasticity.
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Zhang H, Qiao M, Gao D, Wang J, Sun C, Sun Y, Zhang Y, Liu H, Zhang Z, Gao M. Shuyu capsule alleviates premenstrual depression via allopregnanolone metabolic pathway targeting GABA (A) receptors δ subunit in the hippocampus. Asian J Psychiatr 2023; 90:103800. [PMID: 37898099 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajp.2023.103800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 10/30/2023]
Abstract
To reveal the exact changes of allopregnanolone-mediated γ-aminobutyric acid A receptor pathways and its specific therapeutic targets by Shuyu Capsule treating premenstrual depression, female Wistar rat models of premenstrual depression was established by Forced swimming test (FST). Behavioral tests, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), interference knockdown adenovirus, and overexpressed vector adenovirus of GABAARδ, RT-qPCR, Western-Blot, and immunohistochemical detecting expressions were applied to identify the therapeutic targets. FST-based rat model indicated that Shuyu capsules alleviated typical premenstrual depression and may regulate alternations of 5α-reductase and 3α-steroid dehydrogenase, enhancing the metabolic pathway of progesterone to allopregnanolone, as well as targeting the GABAARδ subunit, thereby alleviating premenstrual depression of PMDD rat models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Zhang
- Experimental Center, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, Shandong Province, China
| | - Mingqi Qiao
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, Shandong Province, China
| | - Dongmei Gao
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, Shandong Province, China
| | - Jieqiong Wang
- School of Pharmacy, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, Shandong Province, China
| | - Chunyan Sun
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, Shandong Province, China
| | - Ya Sun
- Innovative Institute of Chinese Medicine and Pharmacy , Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, Shandong Province, China
| | - Yang Zhang
- Innovative Institute of Chinese Medicine and Pharmacy , Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, Shandong Province, China
| | - Huayuan Liu
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, Shandong Province, China
| | - Zhen Zhang
- Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang, Guizhou Province, China
| | - Mingzhou Gao
- Innovative Institute of Chinese Medicine and Pharmacy , Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, Shandong Province, China.
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Gundogmus AG, Sezer Katar K, Orsel S, Ozturk G, Yilmaz KB. The relationship of potential biomarkers with psychological resilience and post-traumatic growth in female patients with breast cancer. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0277119. [PMID: 36525411 PMCID: PMC9757578 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0277119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2022] [Accepted: 10/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
While investigating psychosocial factors on resilience and post-traumatic growth draws attention, research on biological correlates is limited. We investigated the relationship between post-traumatic growth, resilience, post-traumatic stress, and potential biomarkers in female patients with breast cancer (n = 71) from the general surgery or oncology clinics. They completed the Post-Traumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI), Connor Davidson Psychological Resilience Scale (CD-RISC), Brief Resilience Scale (BRS), PTSD Checklist for DSM-V, and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Blood samples were collected for NPY, ALLO, DHEA-S, testosterone, cortisol, and hsCRP levels. The relationship between biochemical parameters and the scales was investigated in the whole patient group and in the subgroup of patients who perceived breast cancer as traumatic. When all the patients were evaluated, hsCRP and depression scores were significantly and positively correlated; and hsCRP, BRS score, and PTGI change in self-perception subscale score were significantly and negatively correlated. There was a significant positive correlation between the ALLO level and the psychological resilience (CD-RISC) score in the patient group who perceived breast cancer as traumatic. It was observed that psychological resilience and PTG were positively correlated, and that multiple biomarkers were associated with psychological resilience in female breast cancer patients. Especially findings regarding ALLO levels and psychological resilience could be a new target for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayse Gokcen Gundogmus
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Health Sciences, Diskapi Yildirim Beyazit Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey
- * E-mail:
| | - Kubra Sezer Katar
- Department of Psychiatry, Islahiye State Hospital, Gaziantep, Turkey
| | - Sibel Orsel
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Health Sciences, Diskapi Yildirim Beyazit Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Gulfer Ozturk
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Health Sciences, Diskapi Yildirim Beyazit Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Kerim Bora Yilmaz
- Department of Surgery, University of Health Sciences, Gulhane Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey
- Department of Medical and Surgical Research, Institute of Health Sciences, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey
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Kolas V, Bandonil JSA, Wali N, Hsia KC, Shie JJ, Chung BC. A synthetic pregnenolone analog promotes microtubule dynamics and neural development. Cell Biosci 2022; 12:190. [PMID: 36456994 PMCID: PMC9717551 DOI: 10.1186/s13578-022-00923-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2022] [Accepted: 11/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pregnenolone (P5) is a neurosteroid that promotes microtubule polymerization. It also reduces stress and negative symptoms of schizophrenia, promotes memory, as well as recovery from spinal cord injury. P5 is the first substance in the steroid-synthetic pathway; it can be further metabolized into other steroids. Therefore, it is difficult to differentiate the roles of P5 versus its metabolites in the brain. To alleviate this problem, we synthesized and screened a series of non-metabolizable P5 derivatives for their ability to polymerize microtubules similar to P5. RESULTS We identified compound #43 (3-beta-pregnenolone acetate), which increased microtubule polymerization. We showed that compound #43 modified microtubule dynamics in live cells, increased neurite outgrowth and changed growth cone morphology in mouse cerebellar granule neuronal culture. Furthermore, compound #43 promoted the formation of stable microtubule tracks in zebrafish developing cerebellar axons. CONCLUSIONS We have developed compound #43, a nonmetabolized P5 analog, that recapitulates P5 functions in vivo and can be a new therapeutic candidate for the treatment of neurodevelopmental diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viktoryia Kolas
- grid.28665.3f0000 0001 2287 1366Institute of Molecular Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan ,grid.38348.340000 0004 0532 0580Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology, National Tsing-Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | | | - Niaz Wali
- grid.28665.3f0000 0001 2287 1366Institute of Chemistry, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan ,grid.19188.390000 0004 0546 0241Institute of Biochemical Sciences, National Taiwan University, Taipei, 10617 Taiwan ,grid.28665.3f0000 0001 2287 1366Chemical Biology and Molecular Biophysics, Taiwan International Graduate Program, (TIGP-CBMB) Academia Sinica, Taipei, 11529 Taiwan
| | - Kuo-Chiang Hsia
- grid.28665.3f0000 0001 2287 1366Institute of Molecular Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Jiun-Jie Shie
- grid.28665.3f0000 0001 2287 1366Institute of Chemistry, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Bon-chu Chung
- grid.28665.3f0000 0001 2287 1366Institute of Molecular Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan ,grid.38348.340000 0004 0532 0580Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology, National Tsing-Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan ,grid.254145.30000 0001 0083 6092Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Neuroscience and Brain Disease Center, China Medical University, Taichung, 404 Taiwan
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Fernandez N, Petit A, Pianos A, Haddad L, Schumacher M, Liere P, Guennoun R. Aging Is Associated With Lower Neuroactive Steroids and Worsened Outcomes Following Cerebral Ischemia in Male Mice. Endocrinology 2022; 164:6779564. [PMID: 36306407 DOI: 10.1210/endocr/bqac183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2022] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Ischemic stroke is a leading cause of disability and death, and aging is the main nonmodifiable risk factor. Following ischemia, neuroactive steroids have been shown to play a key role in cerebroprotection. Thus, brain steroid concentrations at the time of injury as well as their regulation after stroke are key factors to consider. Here, we investigated the effects of age and cerebral ischemia on steroid levels, behavioral outcomes, and neuronal degeneration in 3- and 18-month-old C57BL/6JRj male mice. Ischemia was induced by middle cerebral artery occlusion for 1 hour followed by reperfusion (MCAO/R) and analyses were performed at 6 hours after MCAO. Extended steroid profiles established by gas chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry revealed that (1) brain and plasma concentrations of the main 5α-reduced metabolites of progesterone, 11-deoxycorticosterone, and corticosterone were lower in old than in young mice; (2) after MCAO/R, brain concentrations of progesterone, 5α-dihydroprogesterone, and corticosterone increased in young mice; and (3) after MCAO/R, brain concentrations of 5α-reduced metabolites of progesterone, 3α5α-tetrahydrodeoxycorticosterone, and 3β5α-tetrahydrodeoxycorticosterone were lower in old than in young mice. After ischemia, old mice showed increased sensori-motor deficits and more degenerating neurons in the striatum than young mice. Altogether, these findings strongly suggest that the decreased capacity of old mice to metabolize steroids toward the 5α-reduction pathway comparatively to young mice may contribute to the worsening of their stroke outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neïké Fernandez
- U1195 Inserm and University Paris-Saclay, 94276 Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
| | - Anthony Petit
- U1195 Inserm and University Paris-Saclay, 94276 Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
| | - Antoine Pianos
- U1195 Inserm and University Paris-Saclay, 94276 Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
| | - Léna Haddad
- U1195 Inserm and University Paris-Saclay, 94276 Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
| | - Michael Schumacher
- U1195 Inserm and University Paris-Saclay, 94276 Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
| | - Philippe Liere
- U1195 Inserm and University Paris-Saclay, 94276 Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
| | - Rachida Guennoun
- U1195 Inserm and University Paris-Saclay, 94276 Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
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Vitku J, Hill M, Kolatorova L, Kubala Havrdova E, Kancheva R. Steroid Sulfation in Neurodegenerative Diseases. Front Mol Biosci 2022; 9:839887. [PMID: 35281259 PMCID: PMC8904904 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2022.839887] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2021] [Accepted: 01/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Steroid sulfation and desulfation participates in the regulation of steroid bioactivity, metabolism and transport. The authors focused on sulfation and desulfation balance in three neurodegenerative diseases: Alzheimer´s disease (AD), Parkinson´s disease (PD), and multiple sclerosis (MS). Circulating steroid conjugates dominate their unconjugated counterparts, but unconjugated steroids outweigh their conjugated counterparts in the brain. Apart from the neurosteroid synthesis in the central nervous system (CNS), most brain steroids cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB) from the periphery and then may be further metabolized. Therefore, steroid levels in the periphery partly reflect the situation in the brain. The CNS steroids subsequently influence the neuronal excitability and have neuroprotective, neuroexcitatory, antidepressant and memory enhancing effects. They also exert anti-inflammatory and immunoprotective actions. Like the unconjugated steroids, the sulfated ones modulate various ligand-gated ion channels. Conjugation by sulfotransferases increases steroid water solubility and facilitates steroid transport. Steroid sulfates, having greater half-lives than their unconjugated counterparts, also serve as a steroid stock pool. Sulfotransferases are ubiquitous enzymes providing massive steroid sulfation in adrenal zona reticularis and zona fasciculata.. Steroid sulfatase hydrolyzing the steroid conjugates is exceedingly expressed in placenta but is ubiquitous in low amounts including brain capillaries of BBB which can rapidly hydrolyze the steroid sulfates coming across the BBB from the periphery. Lower dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) plasma levels and reduced sulfotransferase activity are considered as risk factors in AD patients. The shifted balance towards unconjugated steroids can participate in the pathophysiology of PD and anti-inflammatory effects of DHEAS may counteract the MS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jana Vitku
- Department of Steroids and Proteofactors, Institute of Endocrinology, Prague, Czechia
- *Correspondence: Jana Vitku,
| | - Martin Hill
- Department of Steroids and Proteofactors, Institute of Endocrinology, Prague, Czechia
| | - Lucie Kolatorova
- Department of Steroids and Proteofactors, Institute of Endocrinology, Prague, Czechia
| | - Eva Kubala Havrdova
- Department of Neurology and Center of Clinical Neuroscience, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital in Prague, Prague, Czechia
| | - Radmila Kancheva
- Department of Steroids and Proteofactors, Institute of Endocrinology, Prague, Czechia
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Cáceres ARR, Campo Verde Arboccó F, Cardone DA, Sanhueza MDLÁ, Casais M, Vega Orozco AS, Laconi MR. Superior mesenteric ganglion neural modulation of ovarian angiogenesis, apoptosis and proliferation by the neuroactive steroid allopregnanolone. J Neuroendocrinol 2022; 34:e13056. [PMID: 34739183 DOI: 10.1111/jne.13056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2021] [Revised: 08/22/2021] [Accepted: 10/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Allopregnanolone (ALLO), a potent neuroactive steroid, is synthesized and active in the peripheral nervous system. Previous studies have shown that ALLO participates in the central regulation of reproduction with effects on ovarian physiology, although there is little evidence for its ability to modulate peripheral tissues. The present study aimed to determine whether ALLO, administered to an ex vivo system that comprises the superior mesenteric ganglion (SMG), the ovarian nervous plexus (ONP) and the ovary (O), or to the denervated ovary (DO), was able to modify ovarian apoptosis, proliferation and angiogenesis. For this purpose, the SMG-ONP-O system and DO were incubated during 120 min at 37°C, in the presence of two ALLO doses (0.06 µm and 6 µm). The intrinsic and extrinsic pathways of apoptosis were analyzed. Incubation of the SMG-ONP-O system with ALLO 0.06 µm led to an increase in the BAX/BCL-2 ratio and a reduction of FAS-L mRNA levels. ALLO 6 µm induced a decrease of FAS-L levels. Incubation of DO with ALLO 0.06 µm reduced FAS-L, whereas ALLO 6 µm significantly increased it. Cyclin D1 mRNA was measured to evaluate proliferation. Treatment with ALLO 6 µm increased proliferation in both SMG-ONP-O and DO. ALLO 0.06 µm produced an increase of Cyclin D1 in DO only. Administration of either ALLO dose led to a higher ovarian expression of vascular endothelial growth factor in the SMG-ONP-O system, but a lower one in the DO system. ALLO 6 µm induced ovarian sensitization to GABA by increasing GABAA receptor expression. In conclusion, ALLO participates in the peripheral neural modulation of ovarian physiology. It can also interact directly with the ovarian tissue, modulating key mechanisms involved in normal and pathological processes in a dose-dependent manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonella Rosario Ramona Cáceres
- Laboratorio de Fisiopatología Ovárica, Instituto de Medicina y Biología Experimental de Cuyo (IMBECU - CONICET Mendoza), Mendoza, Argentina
- Facultad de Ingeniería y Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad de Mendoza, Mendoza, Argentina
| | - Fiorella Campo Verde Arboccó
- Laboratorio de Fisiopatología Ovárica, Instituto de Medicina y Biología Experimental de Cuyo (IMBECU - CONICET Mendoza), Mendoza, Argentina
| | - Daniela Alejandra Cardone
- Laboratorio de Fisiopatología Ovárica, Instituto de Medicina y Biología Experimental de Cuyo (IMBECU - CONICET Mendoza), Mendoza, Argentina
| | - María de Los Ángeles Sanhueza
- Laboratorio de Fisiopatología Ovárica, Instituto de Medicina y Biología Experimental de Cuyo (IMBECU - CONICET Mendoza), Mendoza, Argentina
| | - Marilina Casais
- Laboratorio de Biología de la Reproducción (LABIR), Facultad de Química, Bioquímica y Farmacia, Universidad Nacional de San Luis, San Luis, Argentina
| | - Adriana Soledad Vega Orozco
- Laboratorio de Biología de la Reproducción (LABIR), Facultad de Química, Bioquímica y Farmacia, Universidad Nacional de San Luis, San Luis, Argentina
| | - Myriam Raquel Laconi
- Laboratorio de Fisiopatología Ovárica, Instituto de Medicina y Biología Experimental de Cuyo (IMBECU - CONICET Mendoza), Mendoza, Argentina
- Facultad de Ingeniería y Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad de Mendoza, Mendoza, Argentina
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11
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Translocator Protein Ligand PIGA1138 Reduces Disease Symptoms and Severity in Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis Model of Primary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis. Mol Neurobiol 2022; 59:1744-1765. [PMID: 35018577 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-022-02737-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2021] [Accepted: 01/04/2022] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune and demyelinating disease of the central nervous system (CNS) caused by CNS infiltration of peripheral immune cells, immune-mediated attack of the myelin sheath, neuroinflammation, and/or axonal/neuronal dysfunctions. Some drugs are available to cope with relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) but there is no therapy for the primary progressive MS (PPMS). Because growing evidence supports a regulatory role of the translocator protein (TSPO) in neuroinflammatory, demyelinating, and neurodegenerative processes, we investigated the therapeutic potential of phenylindolyilglyoxylamydes (PIGAs) TSPO ligands in myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG)-induced experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) mice mimicking the human PPMS. MOG-EAE C57Bl/6-mice were treated by TSPO ligands PIGA839, PIGA1138, or the vehicle. Several methods were combined to evaluate PIGAs-TSPO ligand effects on MOG-EAE symptoms, CNS infiltration by immune cells, demyelination, and axonal damages. PIGA1138 (15 mg/kg) drastically reduced MOG-EAE mice clinical scores, ameliorated motor dysfunctions assessed with the Catwalk device, and counteracted MOG-EAE-induced demyelination by preserving Myelin basic protein (MBP) expression in the CNS. Furthermore, PIGA1138-treatment prevented EAE-evoked decreased neurofilament-200 expression in spinal and cerebellar axons. Moreover, PIGA1138 inhibited peripheral immune-CD45 + cell infiltration in the CNS, suggesting that it may control inflammatory mechanisms involved in PPMS. Concordantly, PIGA1138 enhanced anti-inflammatory interleukin-10 serum level in MOG-EAE mice. PIGA1138-treatment, which increased neurosteroid allopregnanolone production, ameliorated all pathological biomarkers, while PIGA839, unable to activate neurosteroidogenesis in vivo, exerted only moderate/partial effects in MOG-EAE mice. Altogether, our results suggest that PIGA1138-based treatment may represent an interesting possibility to be explored for the innovation of effective therapies against PPMS.
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Radell ML, Hamza EA, Moustafa AA. Depression in post-traumatic stress disorder. Rev Neurosci 2021; 31:703-722. [PMID: 32866132 DOI: 10.1515/revneuro-2020-0006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2020] [Accepted: 05/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Major depressive disorder (MDD) symptoms commonly occur after trauma-exposure, both alone and in combination with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This article reviews recent research on comorbidity between these disorders, including its implications for symptom severity and response to treatment. Despite considerable symptom overlap, the two disorders represent distinct constructs and depend, at least in part, on separate biological mechanisms. Both, however, are also clearly related to stress psychopathology. We recommend that more research focus specifically on the study of individual differences in symptom expression in order to identify distinct subgroups of individuals and develop targeted treatments. However, a barrier to this line of inquiry is the trend of excluding particular patients from clinical trials of new interventions based on symptom severity or comorbidity. Another obstacle is the overreliance on self-report measures in human research. We argue that developing computer-based behavioral measures in order to supplement self-report can help address this challenge. Furthermore, we propose that these measures can help tie findings from human and non-human animal research. A number of paradigms have been used to model MDD-and PTSD-like behavior in animals. These models remain valuable for understanding the biological basis of these disorders in humans and for identifying potential interventions, but they have been underused for the study of comorbidity. Although the interpretation of animal behavior remains a concern, we propose that this can also be overcome through the development of close human analogs to animal paradigms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milen L Radell
- Department of Psychology, Niagara University, Lewiston, NY, USA
| | - Eid Abo Hamza
- Department of Mental Health, Faculty of Education, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt
| | - Ahmed A Moustafa
- School of Psychology, Western Sydney University, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Marcs Institute for Brain, Behaviour and Development, Western Sydney University, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Department of Human Anatomy and Physiology, The Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, South Africa
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13
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De Nicola AF, Meyer M, Garay L, Kruse MS, Schumacher M, Guennoun R, Gonzalez Deniselle MC. Progesterone and Allopregnanolone Neuroprotective Effects in the Wobbler Mouse Model of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Cell Mol Neurobiol 2021; 42:23-40. [PMID: 34138412 DOI: 10.1007/s10571-021-01118-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2021] [Accepted: 06/09/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Progesterone regulates a number of processes in neurons and glial cells not directly involved in reproduction or sex behavior. Several neuroprotective effects are better observed under pathological conditions, as shown in the Wobbler mouse model of amyotrophic laterals sclerosis (ALS). Wobbler mice are characterized by forelimb atrophy due to motoneuron degeneration in the spinal cord, and include microgliosis and astrogliosis. Here we summarized current evidence on progesterone reversal of Wobbler neuropathology. We demonstrated that progesterone decreased motoneuron vacuolization with preservation of mitochondrial respiratory complex I activity, decreased mitochondrial expression and activity of nitric oxide synthase, increased Mn-dependent superoxide dismutase, stimulated brain-derived neurotrophic factor, increased the cholinergic phenotype of motoneurons, and enhanced survival with a concomitant decrease of death-related pathways. Progesterone also showed differential effects on glial cells, including increased oligodendrocyte density and downregulation of astrogliosis and microgliosis. These changes associate with reduced anti-inflammatory markers. The enhanced neurochemical parameters were accompanied by longer survival and increased muscle strength in tests of motor behavior. Because progesterone is locally metabolized to allopregnanolone (ALLO) in nervous tissues, we also studied neuroprotection by this derivative. Treatment of Wobbler mice with ALLO decreased oxidative stress and glial pathology, increased motoneuron viability and clinical outcome in a progesterone-like manner, suggesting that ALLO could mediate some progesterone effects in the spinal cord. In conclusion, the beneficial effects observed in different parameters support the versatile properties of progesterone and ALLO in a mouse model of motoneuron degeneration. The studies foresee future therapeutic opportunities with neuroactive steroids for deadly diseases like ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandro F De Nicola
- Laboratory of Neuroendocrine Biochemistry, Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental-CONICET, Vuelta de Obligado 2490, 1428, Buenos Aires, Argentina. .,Department of Human Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Buenos Aires, Paraguay 2155, 1425, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| | - María Meyer
- Laboratory of Neuroendocrine Biochemistry, Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental-CONICET, Vuelta de Obligado 2490, 1428, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Laura Garay
- Laboratory of Neuroendocrine Biochemistry, Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental-CONICET, Vuelta de Obligado 2490, 1428, Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Department of Human Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Buenos Aires, Paraguay 2155, 1425, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Maria Sol Kruse
- Laboratory of Neurobiology, Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental-CONICET, Vuelta de Obligado 2490, 1428, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Michael Schumacher
- U1195 INSERM and University Paris Sud "Neuroprotective, Neuroregenerative and Remyelinating Small Molecules, 94276, Kremlin-Bicetre, France
| | - Rachida Guennoun
- U1195 INSERM and University Paris Sud "Neuroprotective, Neuroregenerative and Remyelinating Small Molecules, 94276, Kremlin-Bicetre, France
| | - Maria Claudia Gonzalez Deniselle
- Laboratory of Neuroendocrine Biochemistry, Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental-CONICET, Vuelta de Obligado 2490, 1428, Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Department of Physiological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Buenos Aires, Paraguay 2155, 1425, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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14
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Ahire A, Nair KP, Shankaranarayana Rao BS, Srikumar BN. The potential involvement of cholinergic system in finasteride induced cognitive dysfunction. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2021; 124:105066. [PMID: 33249331 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2020.105066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2020] [Revised: 11/02/2020] [Accepted: 11/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Neurosteroids are known to exert diverse functions in the brain. 5α-reductase (5α-R), a rate-limiting enzyme involved in the biosynthesis of neurosteroids is inhibited by finasteride. Clinical studies suggest that administration of finasteride causes the emergence of affective symptoms and cognitive dysfunction. Modeling this in rats would provide an opportunity to understand the mechanisms. Accordingly, in the present study, we evaluated the effects of repeated finasteride administration on spatial learning and memory in the partially baited radial arm maze task (RAM) and social cognitive behavior in the social interaction test. Further, to initiate the quest to understand the mechanisms underlying the effects of finasteride, in a separate group of animals, acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity in the frontal cortex, hippocampus, septum and striatum was estimated. METHODS 2 months old male Wistar rats were trained to learn a partially baited radial arm maze task (four trials per day till they reach a choice accuracy of 80 %). Following this, rats were administered with either vehicle (HPβCD) or finasteride (30 or 100 mg/Kg, s.c.) for 7 days and then subjected to retention test on the eighth day. To evaluate the social cognition, finasteride was administered for 7 days, followed by social interaction test on the eighth day. All the sessions were video-recorded and analyzed using Noldus Ethovision XT™ software. Following finasteride administration, on the eighth day, rats were euthanized, and AChE activity was estimated by modified Ellman's method. RESULTS Finasteride (100 mg/Kg, s.c.) administration decreased the percent correct choice during the retention trial of the RAM task. This was paralleled by an increase in the number of total number of errors and reference memory errors. In the social interaction test, finasteride (100 mg/Kg, s.c.) administration decreased the time spent with the rat compared to the object, implying decreased sociability and diminished social preference evidenced by similar time spent with the novel and familiar rat. Reduced AChE activity was observed in the frontal cortex, hippocampus and septum. CONCLUSION Our study provides evidence that repeated administration of finasteride decreases social interaction and results in cognitive deficits, potentially through a cholinergic mechanism. Further studies are required to understand the exact link between the cognitive effects and the cholinergic system. A deeper probe of the current findings holds promise for the development of novel neurosteroid-based therapeutics to treat affective and cognitive disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashutosh Ahire
- Department of Neurophysiology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS), Bengaluru, 560029, India
| | - Kala P Nair
- Department of Neurophysiology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS), Bengaluru, 560029, India
| | - B S Shankaranarayana Rao
- Department of Neurophysiology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS), Bengaluru, 560029, India
| | - B N Srikumar
- Department of Neurophysiology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS), Bengaluru, 560029, India.
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Khodadadi H, Jahromi GP, Zaeinalifard G, Fasihi-Ramandi M, Esmaeili M, Shahriary A. Neuroprotective and Antiapoptotic Effects of Allopregnanolone and Curcumin on Arsenic-Induced Toxicity in SH-SY5Y Dopaminergic Human Neuroblastoma Cells. NEUROPHYSIOLOGY+ 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s11062-020-09861-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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16
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Młotkowska P, Marciniak E, Roszkowicz-Ostrowska K, Misztal T. Effects of allopregnanolone on central reproductive functions in sheep under natural and stressful conditions. Theriogenology 2020; 158:138-147. [PMID: 32956862 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2020.09.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2020] [Revised: 09/05/2020] [Accepted: 09/07/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Reproductive functions may be affected by internal and external factors that are integrated in the central nervous system (CNS). Stressful stimuli induce the neuroendocrine response of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, as well as the synthesis of the neurosteroid allopregnanolone (AL) in the brain. This study tested the hypothesis that centrally administered AL could affect the expression of certain genes involved in reproductive functions at the hypothalamus and pituitary levels, as well as pulsatile gonadotropin secretion in sheep under both natural and stressful conditions. Luteal-phase sheep (n = 24) were subjected to a three-day (day 12-14 of the estrous cycle) series of control or AL (4 × 15 μg/60 μL/30 min, at 30 min intervals) infusions into the third ventricle. Acute stressful stimuli (isolation from other sheep and partial movement restriction) were used in the third day of infusion. Stressful stimuli reduced kisspeptin-1 mRNA levels in both the mediobasal hypothalamus (MBH) and the preoptic area (POA), while pro-dynorphin (PDYN) mRNA level only in the MBH. AL alone decreased the abundances of these transcripts in both structures. Stress increased the expression of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) mRNA in the MBH and POA, luteinizing hormone (LH) β subunit (LHβ) mRNA in the anterior pituitary (AP) and pulsatile LH secretion. In contrast, mRNA level of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) β subunit (FSHβ) was decreased in the AP, with no effect of stress on pulsatile FSH secretion. In stressed sheep, AL counteracted the increase in GnRH mRNA expression only in the POA, but it decreased the level of this transcript in both hypothalamic tissues when infused alone. AL prevented the stress-induced increase in LHβ mRNA expression in the AP and pulsatile LH secretion, as well as inhibited almost all aspects of FSH secretion when administered alone. The suppressive effect of AL on GnRH receptor mRNA expression was also observed in both MBH and AP. We concluded that acute stress and AL exerted multidirectional effects on hypothalamic centers that regulate reproductive functions and secretory activity of AP gonadotrophs in sheep. However, we indicated the dominant inhibitory effect of AL under natural and stressful conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrycja Młotkowska
- Department of Animal Physiology, The Kielanowski Institute of Animal Physiology and Nutrition, Polish Academy of Sciences, Instytucka 3 St, 05-110, Jablonna, Poland.
| | - Elżbieta Marciniak
- Department of Animal Physiology, The Kielanowski Institute of Animal Physiology and Nutrition, Polish Academy of Sciences, Instytucka 3 St, 05-110, Jablonna, Poland.
| | - Katarzyna Roszkowicz-Ostrowska
- Department of Animal Physiology, The Kielanowski Institute of Animal Physiology and Nutrition, Polish Academy of Sciences, Instytucka 3 St, 05-110, Jablonna, Poland.
| | - Tomasz Misztal
- Department of Animal Physiology, The Kielanowski Institute of Animal Physiology and Nutrition, Polish Academy of Sciences, Instytucka 3 St, 05-110, Jablonna, Poland.
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Calì F, Elia M, Vinci M, Vetri L, Correnti E, Trapolino E, Roccella M, Vanadia F, Romano V. Are Mutations in the DHRS9 Gene Causally Linked to Epilepsy? A Case Report. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2020; 56:medicina56080387. [PMID: 32752300 PMCID: PMC7466289 DOI: 10.3390/medicina56080387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2020] [Revised: 07/27/2020] [Accepted: 07/31/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The DHRS9 gene is involved in several pathways including the synthesis of allopregnanolone from progesterone. Allopregnanolone is a positive modulator of gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA) action and plays a role in the control of neuronal excitability and seizures. Whole-exome sequencing performed on a girl with an early onset epilepsy revealed that she was a compound heterozygote for two novel missense mutations of the DHRS9 gene likely to disrupt protein function. No previous studies have reported the implication of this gene in epilepsy. We discuss a new potential pathogenic mechanism underlying epilepsy in a child, due to a defective progesterone pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Calì
- Oasi Research Institute-IRCCS, 94018 Troina, Italy; (F.C.); (M.V.); (L.V.)
| | - Maurizio Elia
- Oasi Research Institute-IRCCS, 94018 Troina, Italy; (F.C.); (M.V.); (L.V.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-0935-936111; Fax: +39-0935-653327
| | - Mirella Vinci
- Oasi Research Institute-IRCCS, 94018 Troina, Italy; (F.C.); (M.V.); (L.V.)
| | - Luigi Vetri
- Oasi Research Institute-IRCCS, 94018 Troina, Italy; (F.C.); (M.V.); (L.V.)
- Department of Sciences for Health Promotion and Mother and Child Care G. D’Alessandro, University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy;
| | - Edvige Correnti
- Department of Sciences for Health Promotion and Mother and Child Care G. D’Alessandro, University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy;
| | - Emanuele Trapolino
- Child Neuropsichiatry Unity, ISMEP-G. di Cristina Hospital-Arnas Civico, 90134 Palermo, Italy; (E.T.); (F.V.)
| | - Michele Roccella
- Department of Psychology, Educational Science and Human Movement, University of Palermo, 90128 Palermo, Italy;
| | - Francesca Vanadia
- Child Neuropsichiatry Unity, ISMEP-G. di Cristina Hospital-Arnas Civico, 90134 Palermo, Italy; (E.T.); (F.V.)
| | - Valentino Romano
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, University of Palermo, 90128 Palermo, Italy;
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Guennoun R. Progesterone in the Brain: Hormone, Neurosteroid and Neuroprotectant. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21155271. [PMID: 32722286 PMCID: PMC7432434 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21155271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2020] [Revised: 06/29/2020] [Accepted: 07/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Progesterone has a broad spectrum of actions in the brain. Among these, the neuroprotective effects are well documented. Progesterone neural effects are mediated by multiple signaling pathways involving binding to specific receptors (intracellular progesterone receptors (PR); membrane-associated progesterone receptor membrane component 1 (PGRMC1); and membrane progesterone receptors (mPRs)) and local bioconversion to 3α,5α-tetrahydroprogesterone (3α,5α-THPROG), which modulates GABAA receptors. This brief review aims to give an overview of the synthesis, metabolism, neuroprotective effects, and mechanism of action of progesterone in the rodent and human brain. First, we succinctly describe the biosynthetic pathways and the expression of enzymes and receptors of progesterone; as well as the changes observed after brain injuries and in neurological diseases. Then, we summarize current data on the differential fluctuations in brain levels of progesterone and its neuroactive metabolites according to sex, age, and neuropathological conditions. The third part is devoted to the neuroprotective effects of progesterone and 3α,5α-THPROG in different experimental models, with a focus on traumatic brain injury and stroke. Finally, we highlight the key role of the classical progesterone receptors (PR) in mediating the neuroprotective effects of progesterone after stroke.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachida Guennoun
- U 1195 Inserm and University Paris Saclay, University Paris Sud, 94276 Le kremlin Bicêtre, France
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19
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Traish AM. Post-finasteride syndrome: a surmountable challenge for clinicians. Fertil Steril 2020; 113:21-50. [PMID: 32033719 DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2019.11.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2019] [Revised: 11/04/2019] [Accepted: 11/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Post-finasteride syndrome (PFS) is a constellation of serious adverse side effects manifested in clinical symptoms that develop and persist in patients during and/or after discontinuing finasteride treatment in men with pattern hair loss (androgenetic alopecia) or benign prostatic hyperplasia. These serious adverse side effects include persistent or irreversible sexual, neurological, physical and mental side effects. To date, there are no evidence-based effective treatments for PFS. Although increasing number of men report persistent side effects, the medical community has yet to recognize this syndrome nor are there any specific measures to address this serious and debilitating symptoms. Here we evaluate the scientific and clinical evidence in the contemporary medical literature to address the very fundamental question: Is PFS a real clinical condition caused by finasteride use or are the reported symptoms only incidentally associated with but not caused by finasteride use? One key indisputable clinical evidence noted in all reported studies with finasteride and dutasteride was that use of these drugs is associated with development of sexual dysfunction, which may persist in a subset of men, irrespective of age, drug dose or duration of study. Also, increased depression, anxiety and suicidal ideation in a subset of men treated with these drugs were commonly reported in a number of studies. It is important to note that many clinical studies suffer from incomplete or inadequate assessment of adverse events and often limited or inaccurate data reporting regarding harm. Based on the existing body of evidence in the contemporary clinical literature, the author believes that finasteride and dutasteride induce a constellation of persistent sexual, neurological and physical adverse side effects, in a subset of men. These constellations of symptoms constitute the basis for PFS in individuals predisposed to epigenetic susceptibility. Indeed, delineating the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying PFS will be of paramount importance to the understanding of this syndrome and to development of potential novel therapeutic modalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdulmaged M Traish
- Department of Urology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts.
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20
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Rustichelli C, Bellei E, Bergamini S, Monari E, Baraldi C, Castro FL, Tomasi A, Ferrari A. Serum levels of allopregnanolone, progesterone and testosterone in menstrually-related and postmenopausal migraine: A cross-sectional study. Cephalalgia 2020; 40:1355-1362. [PMID: 32588652 PMCID: PMC7575305 DOI: 10.1177/0333102420937742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Background Reduced blood or cerebrospinal fluid levels of allopregnanolone are involved in menstrual cycle-linked CNS disorders, such as catamenial epilepsy. This condition, like menstrually-related migraine, is characterized by severe, treatment-resistant attacks. We explored whether there were differences in allopregnanolone, progesterone and testosterone serum levels between women with menstrually-related migraine (MM, n = 30) or postmenopausal migraine without aura who had suffered from menstrually-related migraine during their fertile age (PM, n = 30) and non-headache control women in fertile age (FAC, n = 30) or post-menopause (PC, n = 30). Methods Participants were women with migraine afferent to a headache centre; controls were female patients’ acquaintances. Serum samples obtained were analyzed by HPLC-ESI-MS/MS. Results In menstrually-related migraine and postmenopausal migraine groups, allopregnanolone levels were lower than in the respective control groups (fertile age and post-menopause) (p < 0.001, one-way analysis of variance followed by Tukey-Kramer post-hoc comparison test) while progesterone and testosterone levels were similar. By grouping together patients with migraine, allopregnanolone levels were inversely correlated with the number of years and days of migraine/3 months (p ≤ 0.005, linear regression analysis). Conclusion Decreased GABAergic inhibition, due to low allopregnanolone serum levels, could contribute to menstrually-related migraine and persistence of migraine after menopause. For the management of these disorders, a rise in the GABAergic transmission by increasing inhibitory neurosteroids might represent a novel strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cecilia Rustichelli
- Department of Life Sciences, 9306University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Elisa Bellei
- Department of Surgery, Medicine, Dentistry and Morphological Sciences with Transplant Surgery, Oncology and Regenerative Medicine Relevance, 9306University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Stefania Bergamini
- Department of Surgery, Medicine, Dentistry and Morphological Sciences with Transplant Surgery, Oncology and Regenerative Medicine Relevance, 9306University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Emanuela Monari
- Department of Surgery, Medicine, Dentistry and Morphological Sciences with Transplant Surgery, Oncology and Regenerative Medicine Relevance, 9306University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Carlo Baraldi
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, 9306University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Flavia Lo Castro
- School of Pharmacology and Clinical Toxicology, 9306University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Aldo Tomasi
- Department of Surgery, Medicine, Dentistry and Morphological Sciences with Transplant Surgery, Oncology and Regenerative Medicine Relevance, 9306University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Anna Ferrari
- Unit of Medical Toxicology, Headache Centre and Drug Abuse; Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, 9306University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
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Shang C, Yao RM, Guo Y, Ding ZC, Sun LJ, Ran YH, Xue R, Wang HS, Zhang JM, Zhang YZ, Zhang LM, Li YF. Translocator protein-mediated fast-onset antidepressant-like and memory-enhancing effects in chronically stressed mice. J Psychopharmacol 2020; 34:441-451. [PMID: 31913078 DOI: 10.1177/0269881119896304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Fast-acting and cognitive-enhancing antidepressants are desperately needed. Activation of translocator protein (18 kDa, TSPO) is a novel strategy for developing potential antidepressants, but there are no data available on the onset time of TSPO ligands. This study aimed to investigate the fast-onset antidepressant actions of AC-5216, a selective TSPO ligand, in TSPO knock-out (KO) mice. METHODS TSPO wild-type (WT) and KO mice were subjected to a six-week chronic unpredicted stress (CUS) paradigm. Then, the mice were treated with AC-5216 and tested with depressive and cognitive behaviours. RESULTS A single dose of AC-5216 (0.3 mg/kg) exerted anxiolytic- and antidepressant-like actions in TSPO WT mice. Moreover, in chronically stressed WT mice, two to four days of AC-5216 treatment (0.3 mg/kg, once per day) produced fast-onset antidepressant-like effects in the novelty-suppressed feeding and sucrose preference tests, as well as memory-enhancing effects in the novel object recognition test. In addition, a rapid (with five days of treatment) restoration of serum corticosterone levels and prefrontal cortex (PFC) allopregnanolone levels was found. Further studies showed that in these stress-exposed WT mice, AC-5216 significantly increased the levels of mTOR signalling-related proteins (mBDNF, p-mTOR, PSD-95, synapsin-1, GluR1), as well as the total dendritic length and branching points of pyramidal neurons in the PFC. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that TSPO mediates the fast-onset antidepressant-like and memory-enhancing effects of AC-5216, possibly through the rapid activation of mTOR signalling and restoration of dendritic complexity in the PFC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Shang
- State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Key Laboratory of Neuropsychopharmacology, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing, PR China
| | - Ru-Meng Yao
- State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Key Laboratory of Neuropsychopharmacology, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing, PR China
| | - Ying Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Key Laboratory of Neuropsychopharmacology, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing, PR China
| | - Zhen-Chun Ding
- State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Key Laboratory of Neuropsychopharmacology, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing, PR China
| | - Li-Jun Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Key Laboratory of Neuropsychopharmacology, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing, PR China
| | - Yu-Hua Ran
- State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Key Laboratory of Neuropsychopharmacology, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing, PR China
| | - Rui Xue
- State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Key Laboratory of Neuropsychopharmacology, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing, PR China
| | - Huai-Shan Wang
- Department of Immunology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and School of Basic Medicine, Peking Union Medical College, State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Beijing, PR China
| | - Jian-Min Zhang
- Department of Immunology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and School of Basic Medicine, Peking Union Medical College, State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Beijing, PR China
| | - You-Zhi Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Key Laboratory of Neuropsychopharmacology, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing, PR China
| | - Li-Ming Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Key Laboratory of Neuropsychopharmacology, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing, PR China
| | - Yun-Feng Li
- State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Key Laboratory of Neuropsychopharmacology, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing, PR China
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22
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Pregnane steroidogenesis is altered by HIV-1 Tat and morphine: Physiological allopregnanolone is protective against neurotoxic and psychomotor effects. Neurobiol Stress 2020; 12:100211. [PMID: 32258256 PMCID: PMC7109513 DOI: 10.1016/j.ynstr.2020.100211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2019] [Revised: 01/08/2020] [Accepted: 01/20/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Pregnane steroids, particularly allopregnanolone (AlloP), are neuroprotective in response to central insult. While unexplored in vivo, AlloP may confer protection against the neurological dysfunction associated with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1). The HIV-1 regulatory protein, trans-activator of transcription (Tat), is neurotoxic and its expression in mice increases anxiety-like behavior; an effect that can be ameliorated by progesterone, but not when 5α-reduction is blocked. Given that Tat's neurotoxic effects involve mitochondrial dysfunction and can be worsened with opioid exposure, we hypothesized that Tat and/or combined morphine would perturb steroidogenesis in mice, promoting neuronal death, and that exogenous AlloP would rescue these effects. Like other models of neural injury, conditionally inducing HIV-1 Tat in transgenic mice significantly increased the central synthesis of pregnenolone and progesterone's 5α-reduced metabolites, including AlloP, while decreasing central deoxycorticosterone (independent of changes in plasma). Morphine significantly increased brain and plasma concentrations of several steroids (including progesterone, deoxycorticosterone, corticosterone, and their metabolites) likely via activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal stress axis. Tat, but not morphine, caused glucocorticoid resistance in primary splenocytes. In neurons, Tat depolarized mitochondrial membrane potential and increased cell death. Physiological concentrations of AlloP (0.1, 1, or 10 nM) reversed these effects. High-concentration AlloP (100 nM) was neurotoxic in combination with morphine. Tat induction in transgenic mice potentiated the psychomotor effects of acute morphine, while exogenous AlloP (1.0 mg/kg, but not 0.5 mg/kg) was ameliorative. Data demonstrate that steroidogenesis is altered by HIV-1 Tat or morphine and that physiological AlloP attenuates resulting neurotoxic and psychomotor effects.
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23
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Thomas P, Pang Y. Anti-apoptotic Actions of Allopregnanolone and Ganaxolone Mediated Through Membrane Progesterone Receptors (PAQRs) in Neuronal Cells. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2020; 11:417. [PMID: 32670200 PMCID: PMC7331777 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2020.00417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2020] [Accepted: 05/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The neurosteroids progesterone and allopregnanolone regulate numerous neuroprotective functions in neural tissues including inhibition of epileptic seizures and cell death. Many of progesterone's actions are mediated through the nuclear progesterone receptor (PR), while allopregnanolone is widely considered to be devoid of hormonal activity and instead acts through modulation of GABA-A receptor activity. However, allopregnanolone can also exert hormonal actions in neuronal cells through binding and activating membrane progesterone receptors (mPRs) belonging to the progestin and adipoQ receptor (PAQR) family. The distribution and functions of the five mPR subtypes (α, β, γ, δ, ε) in neural tissues are briefly reviewed. mPRδ has the highest binding affinity for allopregnanolone and is highly expressed throughout the human brain. Low concentrations (20 nM) of allopregnanolone act through mPRδ to stimulate G protein (Gs)-dependent signaling pathways resulting in reduced cell death and apoptosis in mPRδ-transfected cells. The 3-methylated synthetic analog of allopregnanolone, ganaxolone, is currently undergoing clinical trials as a promising GABA-A receptor-selective antiepileptic drug (AED). New data show that low concentrations (20 nM) of ganaxolone also activate mPRδ signaling and exert anti-apoptotic actions through this receptor. Preliminary evidence suggests that ganaxolone can also exert neuroprotective effects by activating inhibitory G protein (Gi)-dependent signaling through mPRα and/or mPRβ in neuronal cells. The results indicate that mPRs are likely intermediaries in multiple actions of natural and synthetic neurosteroids in the brain. Potential off-target effects of ganaxolone through activation of mPRs in patients receiving long-term treatment for epilepsy and other disorders should be considered and warrant further investigation.
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24
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Bartolomé I, Llidó A, Darbra S, Pallarès M. Early postnatal allopregnanolone levels alteration and adult behavioral disruption in rats: Implication for drug abuse. Neurobiol Stress 2019; 12:100208. [PMID: 32435661 PMCID: PMC7231993 DOI: 10.1016/j.ynstr.2019.100208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2019] [Revised: 11/14/2019] [Accepted: 12/23/2019] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Several studies have highlighted the role that early postnatal levels of allopregnanolone play in the development of the CNS and adult behavior. Changes in allopregnanolone levels related to stress have been observed during early postnatal periods, and perinatal stress has been linked to neuropsychiatric disorders. The alteration of early postnatal allopregnanolone levels in the first weeks of life has been proven to affect adult behaviors, such as anxiety-related behaviors and the processing of sensory inputs. This review focuses on the first studies about the possible relationship between the early postnatal allopregnanolone levels and the vulnerability to abuse of drugs such as alcohol in adulthood, given that (1) changes in neonatal allopregnanolone levels affect novelty exploration and novelty seeking has been linked to vulnerability to drug abuse; (2) early postnatal administration of progesterone, the main allopregnanolone precursor, affects the maturation of dopaminergic meso-striatal systems, which have been related to novelty seeking and drug abuse; and (3) alcohol consumption increases plasma and brain allopregnanolone levels in animals and humans. Manipulating neonatal allopregnanolone by administering finasteride, an inhibitor of the 5α-reductase enzyme that participates in allopregnanolone synthesis, increases alcohol consumption and decreases the locomotor stimulant effects of low alcohol doses. At a molecular level, finasteride decreases dopamine and serotonin in ventral striatum and dopamine release in nucleus accumbens. Preliminary results suggest that serotonin 5HT3 receptors could also be affected. Although an in-depth study is necessary, evidence suggests that there is a relation between early postnatal allopregnanolone and vulnerability to drug use/abuse. Early postnatal AlloP levels alteration affects brain maturation and adult behavior. Early stress interacts to AlloP influencing neuropsychiatric disorders vulnerability. Fluctuations in neonatal AlloP levels play a role in alcohol abuse vulnerability. Neonatal finasteride induces novelty-seeking profile and increases ethanol intake.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iris Bartolomé
- Institut de Neurociències, Departament de Psicobiologia I Metodologia en Ciències de La Salut, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Anna Llidó
- Institut de Neurociències, Departament de Psicobiologia I Metodologia en Ciències de La Salut, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Sònia Darbra
- Institut de Neurociències, Departament de Psicobiologia I Metodologia en Ciències de La Salut, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Marc Pallarès
- Institut de Neurociències, Departament de Psicobiologia I Metodologia en Ciències de La Salut, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
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25
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Haraguchi S, Kamata M, Tokita T, Tashiro KI, Sato M, Nozaki M, Okamoto-Katsuyama M, Shimizu I, Han G, Chowdhury VS, Lei XF, Miyazaki T, Kim-Kaneyama JR, Nakamachi T, Matsuda K, Ohtaki H, Tokumoto T, Tachibana T, Miyazaki A, Tsutsui K. Light-at-night exposure affects brain development through pineal allopregnanolone-dependent mechanisms. eLife 2019; 8:45306. [PMID: 31566568 PMCID: PMC6850767 DOI: 10.7554/elife.45306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2019] [Accepted: 09/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The molecular mechanisms by which environmental light conditions affect cerebellar development are incompletely understood. We showed that circadian disruption by light-at-night induced Purkinje cell death through pineal allopregnanolone (ALLO) activity during early life in chicks. Light-at-night caused the loss of diurnal variation of pineal ALLO synthesis during early life and led to cerebellar Purkinje cell death, which was suppressed by a daily injection of ALLO. The loss of diurnal variation of pineal ALLO synthesis induced not only reduction in pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP), a neuroprotective hormone, but also transcriptional repression of the cerebellar Adcyap1 gene that produces PACAP, with subsequent Purkinje cell death. Taken together, pineal ALLO mediated the effect of light on early cerebellar development in chicks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shogo Haraguchi
- Laboratory of Integrative Brain Sciences, Department of Biology, Waseda University, Tokyo, Japan.,Department of Biochemistry, Showa University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Masaki Kamata
- Laboratory of Integrative Brain Sciences, Department of Biology, Waseda University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takuma Tokita
- Laboratory of Integrative Brain Sciences, Department of Biology, Waseda University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kei-Ichiro Tashiro
- Laboratory of Integrative Brain Sciences, Department of Biology, Waseda University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Miku Sato
- Laboratory of Integrative Brain Sciences, Department of Biology, Waseda University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Mitsuki Nozaki
- Laboratory of Integrative Brain Sciences, Department of Biology, Waseda University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Mayumi Okamoto-Katsuyama
- Department of Applied Chemistry, School of Science and Engineering, Waseda University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Isao Shimizu
- Department of Applied Chemistry, School of Science and Engineering, Waseda University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Guofeng Han
- Laboratory of Stress Physiology and Metabolism, Graduate School of Bioresource and Bioenvironmental Science, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Vishwajit Sur Chowdhury
- Laboratory of Stress Physiology and Metabolism, Graduate School of Bioresource and Bioenvironmental Science, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Xiao-Feng Lei
- Department of Biochemistry, Showa University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takuro Miyazaki
- Department of Biochemistry, Showa University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Joo-Ri Kim-Kaneyama
- Department of Biochemistry, Showa University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tomoya Nakamachi
- Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, University of Toyama, Toyama, Japan
| | - Kouhei Matsuda
- Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, University of Toyama, Toyama, Japan
| | - Hirokazu Ohtaki
- Department of Anatomy, Showa University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Toshinobu Tokumoto
- Integrated Bioscience Section, Graduate School of Science and Technology, Shizuoka University, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Tetsuya Tachibana
- Department of Agrobiological Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Ehime University, Matsuyama, Japan
| | - Akira Miyazaki
- Department of Biochemistry, Showa University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kazuyoshi Tsutsui
- Laboratory of Integrative Brain Sciences, Department of Biology, Waseda University, Tokyo, Japan
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26
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Miguel CA, Raggio MC, Villar MJ, Gonzalez SL, Coronel MF. Anti-allodynic and anti-inflammatory effects of 17α-hydroxyprogesterone caproate in oxaliplatin-induced peripheral neuropathy. J Peripher Nerv Syst 2019; 24:100-110. [PMID: 30680838 DOI: 10.1111/jns.12307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2018] [Revised: 01/08/2019] [Accepted: 01/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy is a disabling condition induced by several frequently used chemotherapeutic drugs including the front-line agent oxaliplatin (OXA). Symptoms are predominantly sensory with the development of neuropathic pain. Alternative dosing protocols and treatment discontinuation are the only available therapeutic strategies. The aim of our work was to evaluate the potential of a synthetic derivative of progesterone, 17α-hydroxyprogesterone caproate (HPGC), in the prevention and treatment of OXA-evoked painful neuropathy. We also evaluated glial activation at the dorsal root ganglia (DRG) and spinal cord levels as a possible target mechanism underlying HPGC actions. Male rats were injected with OXA and HPGC following a prophylactic (HPGCp) or therapeutic (HPGCt) scheme (starting either before or after chemotherapy). The development of hypersensitivity and allodynic pain and the expression of neuronal and glial activation markers were evaluated. When compared to control animals, those receiving OXA showed a significant decrease in paw mechanical and thermal thresholds, with the development of allodynia. Animals treated with HPGCp showed patterns of response similar to those detected in control animals, while those treated with HPGCt showed a suppression of both hypersensitivities after HPGC administration. We also observed a significant increase in the mRNA levels of activating transcription factor 3, the transcription factor (c-fos), glial fibrillary acidic protein, ionized calcium binding adaptor protein 1, interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) in DRG and spinal cord of OXA-injected animals, and significantly lower levels in rats receiving OXA and HPGC. These results show that HPGC administration reduces neuronal and glial activation markers and is able to both prevent and suppress OXA-induced allodynia, suggesting a promising therapeutic strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Constanza A Miguel
- Laboratorio de Nocicepción y Dolor Neuropático, Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental - CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - María C Raggio
- Laboratorio de Nocicepción y Dolor Neuropático, Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental - CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Marcelo J Villar
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Medicina Traslacional, Universidad Austral - CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Susana L Gonzalez
- Laboratorio de Nocicepción y Dolor Neuropático, Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental - CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Departamento de Bioquímica Humana, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - María F Coronel
- Laboratorio de Nocicepción y Dolor Neuropático, Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental - CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Facultad de Ciencias Biomédicas, Universidad Austral - CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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27
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Pluchino N, Ansaldi Y, Genazzani AR. Brain intracrinology of allopregnanolone during pregnancy and hormonal contraception. Horm Mol Biol Clin Investig 2019; 37:hmbci-2018-0032. [PMID: 30739099 DOI: 10.1515/hmbci-2018-0032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2018] [Accepted: 01/20/2019] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Allopregnanolone (ALLO) has a crucial role in brain development and remodeling. Reproductive transitions associated with endocrine changes affect synthesis and activity of ALLO with behavioral/affective consequences. Pregnancy is characterized by an increased synthesis of progesterone/ALLO by the placenta, maternal and fetal brains. This suggests the critical role of these steroids in maternal brain adaptation during pregnancy and the development of the fetal brain. ALLO is brain protective during complications of pregnancy, such as preterm delivery or intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), reducing the impact of hypoxia, and excitotoxic brain damage. Negative behavioral consequences of altered progesterone/ALLO maternal brain adaptation have been also hypothesized in the post-partum and targeting ALLO is a promising treatment. Hormonal contraception may alter ALLO action, although the effects are mostly related to a specific class of progestins. Understanding the interactions between ALLO and the endocrine environment is crucial for more effective and tailored hormonal treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicola Pluchino
- University Hospital of Geneva, Division of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Genéve, Switzerland
| | - Yveline Ansaldi
- University Hospital of Geneva, Division of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Genéve, Switzerland
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28
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Zhu X, Fréchou M, Schumacher M, Guennoun R. Cerebroprotection by progesterone following ischemic stroke: Multiple effects and role of the neural progesterone receptors. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 2019; 185:90-102. [PMID: 30031789 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2018.07.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2018] [Revised: 07/17/2018] [Accepted: 07/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Treatment with progesterone limits brain damage after stroke. However, the cellular bases of the cerebroprotective effects of progesterone are not well documented. The aims of this study were to determine neural cells and functions that are affected by progesterone treatment and the role of neural progesterone receptors (PR) after stroke. Adult male PRNesCre mice, selectively lacking PR in the central nervous system, and their control PRloxP/loxP littermates were subjected to transient ischemia by middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) for 30 min. Mice received either progesterone (8 mg/kg) or vehicle at 1-, 6- and 24- hrs post-MCAO and outcomes were analyzed at 48 h post-MCAO. In PRloxP/loxP mice, progesterone exerted multiple effects on different neural cell types, improved motor functional outcomes and reduced total infarct volumes. In the peri-infarct, progesterone increased the density of neurons (NeuN+ cells), of cells of the oligodendroglial lineage (Olig2+ cells) and of oligodendrocyte progenitors (OP, NG2+ cells). Progesterone decreased the density of activated astrocytes (GFAP+ cells) and reactive microglia (Iba1+ cells) coexpressing the mannose receptor type 1 CD206 marker. Progesterone also reduced the expression of aquaporin 4 (AQP4), the water channel involved in both edema formation and resorption. The beneficial effects of progesterone were not observed in PRNesCre mice. Our findings show that progesterone treatment exerts beneficial effects on neurons, oligodendroglial cells and neuroinflammatory responses via PR. These findings demonstrate that progesterone is a pleiotropic cerebroprotective agent and that neural PR represent a therapeutic target for stroke cerebroprotection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyan Zhu
- U1195 Inserm and University Paris-Sud and University Paris-Saclay, 80 rue du Général Leclerc, 94276 Kremlin-Bicêtre, France.
| | - Magalie Fréchou
- U1195 Inserm and University Paris-Sud and University Paris-Saclay, 80 rue du Général Leclerc, 94276 Kremlin-Bicêtre, France.
| | - Michael Schumacher
- U1195 Inserm and University Paris-Sud and University Paris-Saclay, 80 rue du Général Leclerc, 94276 Kremlin-Bicêtre, France.
| | - Rachida Guennoun
- U1195 Inserm and University Paris-Sud and University Paris-Saclay, 80 rue du Général Leclerc, 94276 Kremlin-Bicêtre, France.
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29
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Jure I, De Nicola AF, Labombarda F. Progesterone effects on the oligodendrocyte linage: all roads lead to the progesterone receptor. Neural Regen Res 2019; 14:2029-2034. [PMID: 31397329 PMCID: PMC6788243 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.262570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
A new role has emerged for progesterone after discovering its potent actions away from reproduction in both the central and the peripheral nervous system. The aim of the present report is to discuss progesterone’s mechanisms of action involved in myelination, remyelination and neuroinflammation. The pivotal role of the classic progesterone receptor is described and evidence is compiled about progesterone’s direct effects on oligodendrocyte linage and its indirect effects on oligodendrocyte precursor cell differentiation by decreasing the neuroinflammatory environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ignacio Jure
- Laboratorio de Bioquímica Neuroendocrina, Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental, CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Alejandro F De Nicola
- Laboratorio de Bioquímica Neuroendocrina, Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental, CONICET; Departamento de Bioquímica Humana, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Florencia Labombarda
- Laboratorio de Bioquímica Neuroendocrina, Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental, CONICET; Departamento de Bioquímica Humana, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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30
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Qiu ZK, Liu X, Tang D, Zhang Z, Fan QH, Pan YY, Chen YY, Huang MY, Zhu T, Wang YL, Cheng XF, Chen JS. Cytoprotective effects of paeoniflorin are associated with translocator protein 18 kDa. Biomed Pharmacother 2018; 107:19-23. [PMID: 30075369 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2018.07.112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2018] [Revised: 07/18/2018] [Accepted: 07/18/2018] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Paeoniflorin (PF) is one of the important active components in peony that are known to produce the neuroprotective effects. However, the involved cytoprotective factors on brain astrocytes are remain unclear. Translocator protein 18 kDa (TSPO) and its downstream neurosteroids biosynthesis play a significant role in cytoprotection. Based on these, the role of TSPO and neurosteroids biosynthesis in the cytoprotective effects of PF is evaluated. The astrocyte cells were cultured and AC-5216 (TSPO ligand) was selected as the positive control drug. The cytoprotective effects of PF and the levels of neurosteroids were quantified by water-soluble tetrazolium assay and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay, respectively. The cytoprotective activities of PF were relevant to neurosteroids (e.g. progsterone and allopregnanolone) biosynthesis, while these effects were totally blocked by PK11195, trilostane and finasteride, respectively. In summary, the cytoprotective effects of PF maybe mediated by TSPO and neurosteroids biosynthesis. The findings may provide the new insights into the cytoprotective effects of PF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi-Kun Qiu
- Pharmaceutical Department of The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Clinical Pharmacy Department of Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou 510080, PR China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Pharmacodynamic Constituents of TCM and New Drugs Research, College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, PR China
| | - Xu Liu
- Pharmacy Department of General Hospital of Chinese People's Armed Police Forces, Beijing 100039, PR China
| | - Dan Tang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Pharmacodynamic Constituents of TCM and New Drugs Research, College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, PR China
| | - Zhe Zhang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Pharmacodynamic Constituents of TCM and New Drugs Research, College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, PR China
| | - Qing-Hong Fan
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Pharmacodynamic Constituents of TCM and New Drugs Research, College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, PR China
| | - Yun-Yun Pan
- Pharmaceutical Department of The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Clinical Pharmacy Department of Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou 510080, PR China
| | - Ying-Yu Chen
- Pharmaceutical Department of The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Clinical Pharmacy Department of Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou 510080, PR China
| | - Mei-Yan Huang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Pharmacodynamic Constituents of TCM and New Drugs Research, College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, PR China
| | - Tao Zhu
- Pharmaceutical Department of The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Clinical Pharmacy Department of Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou 510080, PR China
| | - Yu-Lu Wang
- College of Pharmacy, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou 350122, PR China
| | - Xiao-Fang Cheng
- Tuina and Pain Management Department, Shenzhen LongGang Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine (Beijing University of Chinese Medicine Shenzhen Hospital), Shenzhen 518172, PR China.
| | - Ji-Sheng Chen
- Pharmaceutical Department of The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Clinical Pharmacy Department of Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou 510080, PR China.
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Thitipitchayanant K, Somrongthong R, Kumar R, Kanchanakharn N. Effectiveness of self-empowerment-affirmation-relaxation (Self-EAR) program for postpartum blues mothers: A randomize controlled trial. Pak J Med Sci 2018; 34:1488-1493. [PMID: 30559809 PMCID: PMC6290217 DOI: 10.12669/pjms.346.15986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and Objecvites: Approximately 55-85% of women worldwide have experienced postpartum blues (PPB) during 6-9 weeks after delivery without receiving the counseling program; more than 20% of them have developed into postpartum depression. Study objectives were to evaluate the effect of the Self-EAR program to improve the postpartum blues scores and serum allopregnanolone level among newly blues mothers. Methods: During June 2015 to May 2016, the randomized controlled trial was conducted among 76 Nulliparous blues mothers who were screened with Stein’s postpartum blues scores ≥ 3. All participants were randomly assigned either to the intervention group (Self-EAR program) and the control group (standard postpartum care program). The Self-EAR program was transformed into audio files which were installed in an MP3 digital device before providing it to the intervention group in order to be implemented at home three times per day for four weeks. Participants were assessed at baseline, 1-month, 2-month and 3-month follow-up for serum allopregnanolone level. Data were analyzed by using descriptive statistic, chi-square test, t-test, and repeated measure analysis of variance. Result: After the 3-month follow-up, the results revealed positive effects of the Self-EAR program on postpartum blues scores (p-value=0.002) and serum allopregnanolone concertation (p-value=0.001). The participants in the intervention group had experienced significantly lower postpartum blues scores; on the other hand, they had significantly higher serum allopregnanolone level when compared with the control group. Conclusions: The findings suggested that the Self-EAR program was effective to improve postpartum blues scores and allopregnanolone level among newly postpartum blues mothers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krittipitch Thitipitchayanant
- Krittipitch Thitipitchayanant, School of Nursing, University of Phayao, Thailand. College of Public Health Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Thailand
| | - Ratana Somrongthong
- Ratana Somrongthong, College of Public Health Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Thailand
| | - Ramesh Kumar
- Ramesh Kumar, Health Services Academy Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Naowarat Kanchanakharn
- Naowarat Kanchanakharn, College of Public Health Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Thailand
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Traish AM. The Post-finasteride Syndrome: Clinical Manifestation of Drug-Induced Epigenetics Due to Endocrine Disruption. CURRENT SEXUAL HEALTH REPORTS 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/s11930-018-0161-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
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Taleb O, Patte-Mensah C, Meyer L, Kemmel V, Geoffroy P, Miesch M, Mensah-Nyagan AG. Evidence for effective structure-based neuromodulatory effects of new analogues of neurosteroid allopregnanolone. J Neuroendocrinol 2018; 30. [PMID: 29265686 DOI: 10.1111/jne.12568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2017] [Revised: 11/22/2017] [Accepted: 12/12/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The neurosteroid allopregnanolone (AP) modulates neuroendocrine/neurobiological processes, including hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical activities, pain, anxiety, neurogenesis and neuroprotection. These observations raised the hope of developing AP-based therapies against neuroendocrine and/or neurodegenerative disorders. However, the pleiotropic actions of AP, particularly its cell-proliferation-promoting effects, hamper the development of selective/targeted therapies. For example, although AP-induced neurogenesis may serve to compensate neuronal loss in degenerative brains, AP-evoked cell-proliferation is contraindicated for steroid-sensitive cancer patients. To foster progress, we synthesised 4 novel AP analogues of neurosteroids (ANS) designated BR053 (12-oxo-epi-AP), BR297 (O-allyl-epi-AP), BR351 (O-allyl-AP) and BR338 (12-oxo-AP). First, because AP is well-known as allosteric modulator of GABAA receptors (GABAA-R), we used the electrophysiological patch-clamp technique to determine the structure-activity relationship of our ANS on GABAA-activated current in NCB20 cells expressing functional GABAA-R. We found that the addition of 12-oxo-group did not significantly change the respective positive or negative allosteric effects of 3α-AP or 3β-(epi)-AP analogues. Importantly, substitution of the 3α-hydroxyl-group by 3α-O-allyl highly modified the ANS activities. Unlike AP, BR351 induced a long-lasting desensitisation/inhibition of GABAA-R. Interestingly, replacement of the 3β-hydroxyl by 3β-O-allyl (BR297) completely reversed the activity from negative to positive allosteric action. In a second step, we compared the actions of AP and ANS on SH-SY5Y neuronal cell viability/proliferation using MTT-reduction assays. Different dose-response curves were demonstrated for AP and the ANS. By contrast to AP, BR297 was totally devoid of cell-proliferative effect. Finally, we compared AP and ANS abilities to protect against oxidative stress-induced neuronal death pivotally involved in neurodegenerative diseases. Both BR351 and BR297 had notable advantages over AP in protecting SH-SY5Y cells against oxidative stress-induced death. Thus, BR297 appears to be a potent neuroprotective compound devoid of cell-proliferative activity. Altogether, our results suggest promising perspectives for the development of neurosteroid-based selective and effective strategies against neuroendocrine and/or neurodegenerative disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- O Taleb
- Biopathologie de la Myéline, Neuroprotection et Stratégies Thérapeutiques, INSERM U1119, Fédération de Médecine Translationnelle de Strasbourg (FMTS), Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - C Patte-Mensah
- Biopathologie de la Myéline, Neuroprotection et Stratégies Thérapeutiques, INSERM U1119, Fédération de Médecine Translationnelle de Strasbourg (FMTS), Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - L Meyer
- Biopathologie de la Myéline, Neuroprotection et Stratégies Thérapeutiques, INSERM U1119, Fédération de Médecine Translationnelle de Strasbourg (FMTS), Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - V Kemmel
- Biopathologie de la Myéline, Neuroprotection et Stratégies Thérapeutiques, INSERM U1119, Fédération de Médecine Translationnelle de Strasbourg (FMTS), Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - P Geoffroy
- Laboratoire de Chimie Organique Synthétique, UMR 7177, Institut de Chimie de l'Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - M Miesch
- Laboratoire de Chimie Organique Synthétique, UMR 7177, Institut de Chimie de l'Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - A-G Mensah-Nyagan
- Biopathologie de la Myéline, Neuroprotection et Stratégies Thérapeutiques, INSERM U1119, Fédération de Médecine Translationnelle de Strasbourg (FMTS), Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
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Zhu X, Fréchou M, Liere P, Zhang S, Pianos A, Fernandez N, Denier C, Mattern C, Schumacher M, Guennoun R. A Role of Endogenous Progesterone in Stroke Cerebroprotection Revealed by the Neural-Specific Deletion of Its Intracellular Receptors. J Neurosci 2017; 37:10998-11020. [PMID: 28986464 PMCID: PMC6596486 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.3874-16.2017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2016] [Revised: 08/28/2017] [Accepted: 09/20/2017] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Treatment with progesterone protects the male and female brain against damage after middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). However, in both sexes, the brain contains significant amounts of endogenous progesterone. It is not known whether endogenously produced progesterone enhances the resistance of the brain to ischemic insult. Here, we used steroid profiling by gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS) for exploring adaptive and sex-specific changes in brain levels of progesterone and its metabolites after MCAO. We show that, in the male mouse brain, progesterone is mainly metabolized via 5α-reduction leading to 5α-dihydroprogesterone (5α-DHP), also a progesterone receptor (PR) agonist ligand in neural cells, then to 3α,5α-tetrahydroprogesterone (3α,5α-THP). In the female mouse brain, levels of 5α-DHP and 3α,5α-THP are lower and levels of 20α-DHP are higher than in males. After MCAO, levels of progesterone and 5α-DHP are upregulated rapidly to pregnancy-like levels in the male but not in the female brain. To assess whether endogenous progesterone and 5α-DHP contribute to the resistance of neural cells to ischemic damage, we inactivated PR selectively in the CNS. Deletion of PR in the brain reduced its resistance to MCAO, resulting in increased infarct volumes and neurological deficits in both sexes. Importantly, endogenous PR ligands continue to protect the brain of aging mice. These results uncover the unexpected importance of endogenous progesterone and its metabolites in cerebroprotection. They also reveal that the female reproductive hormone progesterone is an endogenous cerebroprotective neurosteroid in both sexes.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT The brain responds to injury with protective signaling and has a remarkable capacity to protect itself. We show here that, in response to ischemic stroke, levels of progesterone and its neuroactive metabolite 5α-dihydroprogesterone are upregulated rapidly in the male mouse brain but not in the female brain. An important role of endogenous progesterone in cerebroprotection was demonstrated by the conditional inactivation of its receptor in neural cells. These results show the importance of endogenous progesterone, its metabolites, and neural progesterone receptors in acute cerebroprotection after stroke. This new concept could be exploited therapeutically by taking into account the progesterone status of patients and by supplementing and reinforcing endogenous progesterone signaling for attaining its full cerebroprotective potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyan Zhu
- U1195 Inserm and University Paris-Sud and University Paris-Saclay, 94276 Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
| | - Magalie Fréchou
- U1195 Inserm and University Paris-Sud and University Paris-Saclay, 94276 Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
| | - Philippe Liere
- U1195 Inserm and University Paris-Sud and University Paris-Saclay, 94276 Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
| | - Shaodong Zhang
- U1195 Inserm and University Paris-Sud and University Paris-Saclay, 94276 Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
- Beijing Neurosurgical Institute, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Antoine Pianos
- U1195 Inserm and University Paris-Sud and University Paris-Saclay, 94276 Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
| | - Neïké Fernandez
- U1195 Inserm and University Paris-Sud and University Paris-Saclay, 94276 Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
| | - Christian Denier
- U1195 Inserm and University Paris-Sud and University Paris-Saclay, 94276 Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
- Department of Neurology and Stroke Center, Bicêtre Hospital, 94276 Kremlin-Bicêtre, France, and
| | | | - Michael Schumacher
- U1195 Inserm and University Paris-Sud and University Paris-Saclay, 94276 Kremlin-Bicêtre, France,
| | - Rachida Guennoun
- U1195 Inserm and University Paris-Sud and University Paris-Saclay, 94276 Kremlin-Bicêtre, France,
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Meyer M, Garay LI, Kruse MS, Lara A, Gargiulo-Monachelli G, Schumacher M, Guennoun R, Coirini H, De Nicola AF, Gonzalez Deniselle MC. Protective effects of the neurosteroid allopregnanolone in a mouse model of spontaneous motoneuron degeneration. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 2017; 174:201-216. [PMID: 28951257 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2017.09.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2017] [Revised: 09/08/2017] [Accepted: 09/21/2017] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a devastating disorder characterized by progressive death of motoneurons. The Wobbler (WR) mouse is a preclinical model sharing neuropathological similarities with human ALS. We have shown that progesterone (PROG) prevents the progression of motoneuron degeneration. We now studied if allopregnanolone (ALLO), a reduced metabolite of PROG endowed with gabaergic activity, also prevents WR neuropathology. Sixty-day old WRs remained untreated or received two steroid treatment regimens in order to evaluate the response of several parameters during early or prolonged steroid administration. ALLO was administered s.c. daily for 5days (4mg/kg) or every other day for 32days (3, 3mg/kg), while another group of WRs received a 20mg PROG pellet s.c. for 18 or 60days. ALLO administration to WRs increased ALLO serum levels without changing PROG and 5 alpha dihydroprogesterone (5α-DHP), whereas PROG treatment increased PROG, 5α-DHP and ALLO. Untreated WRs showed higher basal levels of serum 5α-DHP than controls. In the cervical spinal cord we studied markers of oxidative stress or associated to trophic responses. These included nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity, motoneuron vacuolation, MnSOD immunoreactivity (IR), brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and TrkB mRNAs, p75 neurotrophin receptor (p75NTR) and, cell survival or death signals such as pAKT and the stress activated kinase JNK. Untreated WRs showed a reduction of MnSOD-IR and BDNF/TrkB mRNAs, associated to high p75NTR in motoneurons, neuronal and glial NOS hyperactivity and neuronal vacuolation. Also, low pAKT, mainly in young WRs, and a high pJNK in the old stage characterized WŔs spinal cord. Except for MnSOD and BDNF, these alterations were prevented by an acute ALLO treatment, while short-term PROG elevated MnSOD. Moreover, after chronic administration both steroids enhanced MnSOD-IR and BDNF mRNA, while attenuated pJNK and NOS in glial cells. Long-term PROG also increased pAKT and reduced neuronal NOS, parameters not modulated by chronic ALLO. Clinically, both steroids improved muscle performance. Thus, ALLO was able to reduce neuropathology in this model. Since high oxidative stress activates p75NTR and pJNK in neurodegeneration, steroid reduction of these molecules may provide adequate neuroprotection. These data yield the first evidence that ALLO, a gabaergic neuroactive steroid, brings neuroprotection in a model of motoneuron degeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Meyer
- Laboratory of Neuroendocrine Biochemistry, Instituto de Biologia y Medicina Experimental-CONICET, Obligado 2490, 1428, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Laura I Garay
- Laboratory of Neuroendocrine Biochemistry, Instituto de Biologia y Medicina Experimental-CONICET, Obligado 2490, 1428, Buenos Aires, Argentina; Depto. de Bioquímica Humana, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Paraguay 2155, 1121, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - María Sol Kruse
- Laboratory of Neurobiology, Instituto de Biologia y Medicina Experimental-CONICET, Obligado 2490, 1428, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Agustina Lara
- Laboratory of Neuroendocrine Biochemistry, Instituto de Biologia y Medicina Experimental-CONICET, Obligado 2490, 1428, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Gisella Gargiulo-Monachelli
- Laboratory of Neuroendocrine Biochemistry, Instituto de Biologia y Medicina Experimental-CONICET, Obligado 2490, 1428, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Michael Schumacher
- U1195 INSERM and University Paris Sud: "Neuroprotective, Neuroregenerative and Remyelinating Small Molecules", 94276, Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
| | - Rachida Guennoun
- U1195 INSERM and University Paris Sud: "Neuroprotective, Neuroregenerative and Remyelinating Small Molecules", 94276, Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
| | - Hector Coirini
- Laboratory of Neurobiology, Instituto de Biologia y Medicina Experimental-CONICET, Obligado 2490, 1428, Buenos Aires, Argentina; Depto. de Bioquímica Humana, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Paraguay 2155, 1121, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Alejandro F De Nicola
- Laboratory of Neuroendocrine Biochemistry, Instituto de Biologia y Medicina Experimental-CONICET, Obligado 2490, 1428, Buenos Aires, Argentina; Depto. de Bioquímica Humana, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Paraguay 2155, 1121, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Maria Claudia Gonzalez Deniselle
- Laboratory of Neuroendocrine Biochemistry, Instituto de Biologia y Medicina Experimental-CONICET, Obligado 2490, 1428, Buenos Aires, Argentina; Depto. de Ciencias Fisiológicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de, Buenos Aires, Paraguay 2155, 1121, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
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36
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Rousseau JP, Tenorio-Lopes L, Baldy C, Janes TA, Fournier S, Kinkead R. On the origins of sex-based differences in respiratory disorders: Lessons and hypotheses from stress neuroendocrinology in developing rats. Respir Physiol Neurobiol 2017; 245:105-121. [DOI: 10.1016/j.resp.2017.03.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2017] [Revised: 03/28/2017] [Accepted: 03/31/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
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Xiong BJ, Xu Y, Jin GL, Liu M, Yang J, Yu CX. Analgesic effects and pharmacologic mechanisms of the Gelsemium alkaloid koumine on a rat model of postoperative pain. Sci Rep 2017; 7:14269. [PMID: 29079733 PMCID: PMC5660238 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-14714-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2017] [Accepted: 10/13/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Postoperative pain (POP) of various durations is a common complication of surgical procedures. POP is caused by nerve damage and inflammatory responses that are difficult to treat. The neuroinflammation-glia-steroid network is known to be important in POP. It has been reported that the Gelsemium alkaloid koumine possesses analgesic, anti-inflammatory and neurosteroid modulating activities. This study was undertaken to test the analgesic effects of koumine against POP and explore the underlying pharmacologic mechanisms. Our results showed that microglia and astroglia were activated in the spinal dorsal horn post-incision, along with an increase of proinflammatory cytokines (interleukin 1β, interleukin 6, and tumor necrosis factor α). Both subcutaneous and intrathecal (i.t.) koumine treatment after incision significantly prevented mechanical allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia, inhibited microglial and astroglial activation, and suppressed expression of proinflammatory cytokines. Moreover, the analgesic effects of koumine were antagonized by i.t. administration of translocator protein (18 kDa) (TSPO) antagonist PK11195 and GABAA receptor antagonist bicuculline. Together, koumine prevented mechanical allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia caused by POP. The pharmacologic mechanism of koumine-mediated analgesia might involve inhibition of spinal neuroinflammation and activation of TSPO. These data suggested that koumine might be a potential pharmacotherapy for the management of POP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo-Jun Xiong
- Department of Pharmacology and College of Pharmacy, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350122, Fujian, People's Republic of China
| | - Ying Xu
- Department of Pharmacology and College of Pharmacy, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350122, Fujian, People's Republic of China
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Natural Medicine Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350122, Fujian, People's Republic of China
| | - Gui-Lin Jin
- Department of Pharmacology and College of Pharmacy, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350122, Fujian, People's Republic of China
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Natural Medicine Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350122, Fujian, People's Republic of China
| | - Ming Liu
- Department of Pharmacology and College of Pharmacy, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350122, Fujian, People's Republic of China
| | - Jian Yang
- Department of Pharmacology and College of Pharmacy, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350122, Fujian, People's Republic of China
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Natural Medicine Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350122, Fujian, People's Republic of China
| | - Chang-Xi Yu
- Department of Pharmacology and College of Pharmacy, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350122, Fujian, People's Republic of China.
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Natural Medicine Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350122, Fujian, People's Republic of China.
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Abstract
There is significant variation in the way individuals react and respond to extreme stress and adversity. While some individuals develop psychiatric conditions such as posttraumatic stress disorder or major depressive disorder, others recover from stressful experiences without displaying significant symptoms of psychological ill-health, demonstrating stress-resilience. To understand why some individuals exhibit characteristics of a resilient profile, the interplay between neurochemical, genetic, and epigenetic processes over time needs to be explained. In this review, we examine the hormones, neuropeptides, neurotransmitters, and neural circuits associated with resilience and vulnerability to stress-related disorders. We debate how this increasing body of knowledge could also be useful in the creation of a stress-resilient profile. Additionally, identification of the underlying neurobiological components related to resilience may offer a contribution to improved approaches toward the prevention and treatment of stress-related disorders.
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Qaiser MZ, Dolman DEM, Begley DJ, Abbott NJ, Cazacu-Davidescu M, Corol DI, Fry JP. Uptake and metabolism of sulphated steroids by the blood-brain barrier in the adult male rat. J Neurochem 2017; 142:672-685. [PMID: 28665486 PMCID: PMC5601180 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.14117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2017] [Revised: 06/21/2017] [Accepted: 06/26/2017] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Little is known about the origin of the neuroactive steroids dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEAS) and pregnenolone sulphate (PregS) in the brain or of their subsequent metabolism. Using rat brain perfusion in situ, we have found 3H‐PregS to enter more rapidly than 3H‐DHEAS and both to undergo extensive (> 50%) desulphation within 0.5 min of uptake. Enzyme activity for the steroid sulphatase catalysing this deconjugation was enriched in the capillary fraction of the blood–brain barrier and its mRNA expressed in cultures of rat brain endothelial cells and astrocytes. Although permeability measurements suggested a net efflux, addition of the efflux inhibitors GF120918 and/or MK571 to the perfusate reduced rather than enhanced the uptake of 3H‐DHEAS and 3H‐PregS; a further reduction was seen upon the addition of unlabelled steroid sulphate, suggesting a saturable uptake transporter. Analysis of brain fractions after 0.5 min perfusion with the 3H‐steroid sulphates showed no further metabolism of PregS beyond the liberation of free steroid pregnenolone. By contrast, DHEAS underwent 17‐hydroxylation to form androstenediol in both the steroid sulphate and the free steroid fractions, with some additional formation of androstenedione in the latter. Our results indicate a gain of free steroid from circulating steroid sulphates as hormone precursors at the blood–brain barrier, with implications for ageing, neurogenesis, neuronal survival, learning and memory. ![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- M Zeeshan Qaiser
- Blood-Brain Barrier Research Group, Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Diana E M Dolman
- Blood-Brain Barrier Research Group, Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine, King's College London, London, UK
| | - David J Begley
- Blood-Brain Barrier Research Group, Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine, King's College London, London, UK
| | - N Joan Abbott
- Blood-Brain Barrier Research Group, Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Mihaela Cazacu-Davidescu
- Department of Neuroscience, Physiology and Pharmacology, University College London, Gower Street, London, UK
| | - Delia I Corol
- Department of Neuroscience, Physiology and Pharmacology, University College London, Gower Street, London, UK
| | - Jonathan P Fry
- Department of Neuroscience, Physiology and Pharmacology, University College London, Gower Street, London, UK
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Krause Neto W, Silva WDA, Ciena AP, Nucci RAB, Anaruma CA, Gama EF. Effects of Strength Training and Anabolic Steroid in the Peripheral Nerve and Skeletal Muscle Morphology of Aged Rats. Front Aging Neurosci 2017; 9:205. [PMID: 28713262 PMCID: PMC5491539 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2017.00205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2017] [Accepted: 06/07/2017] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Thirty male 20-month-old Wistar rats were divided into groups: IC—initial control (n = 6), FC—final control (n = 6), AC—anabolic hormone control (n = 6), ST—strength trained (n = 6) and STA—strength trained with anabolic hormone (n = 6). All groups were submitted to adaptation, familiarization and maximum load carrying test (MLCT). Strength training (6–8×/session with loads of 50%–100% MLCT, 3×/week and pause of 120 s) was performed in ladder climbing (LC) for 15 weeks. The administration of testosterone propionate (TP) was performed 2×/week (10 mg/kg) in animals in the AC and STA groups. After the experimental period, animals were euthanized and the tibial nerve and plantaris muscle removed and prepared for electron transmission and histochemistry. To compare the groups we used one-way ANOVA (post hoc Bonferroni), student’s t-tests for pre vs. post (dependent and independent variables) comparisons and significance level set at p ≤ 0.05. The following significant results were found: (a) aging decreased the number of myelinated axon fibers; (b) use of isolated TP increased the diameter of myelinated fibers, along with increased thickness of myelin sheath; (c) ST increased area of myelinated and unmyelinated fibers, together with the myelin sheath. These changes made it possible to increase the area occupied by myelinated fibers keeping their quantity and also reduce the interstitial space; and (d) association of anabolic steroid and ST increased the area of unmyelinated axons and thickness of the myelin sheath. Compared to ST, both strategies have similar results. However, Schwann cells increased significantly only in this strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Walter Krause Neto
- Department of Physical Education, Laboratory of Morphoquantitative Studies and Immunohistochemistry, São Judas Tadeu UniversitySão Paulo, Brazil
| | - Wellington de A Silva
- Department of Physical Education, Laboratory of Morphoquantitative Studies and Immunohistochemistry, São Judas Tadeu UniversitySão Paulo, Brazil
| | - Adriano P Ciena
- Department of Physical Education, Laboratory of Morphology and Physical Activity, São Paulo State University "Júlio de Mesquita Filho"Rio Claro, Brazil
| | - Ricardo Aparecido Baptista Nucci
- Department of Physical Education, Laboratory of Morphoquantitative Studies and Immunohistochemistry, São Judas Tadeu UniversitySão Paulo, Brazil
| | - Carlos A Anaruma
- Department of Physical Education, Laboratory of Morphology and Physical Activity, São Paulo State University "Júlio de Mesquita Filho"Rio Claro, Brazil
| | - Eliane F Gama
- Department of Physical Education, Laboratory of Morphoquantitative Studies and Immunohistochemistry, São Judas Tadeu UniversitySão Paulo, Brazil
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41
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Trivisano M, Lucchi C, Rustichelli C, Terracciano A, Cusmai R, Ubertini GM, Giannone G, Bertini ES, Vigevano F, Gecz J, Biagini G, Specchio N. Reduced steroidogenesis in patients with PCDH19-female limited epilepsy. Epilepsia 2017; 58:e91-e95. [PMID: 28471529 DOI: 10.1111/epi.13772] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/29/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Patients affected by protocadherin 19 (PCDH19)-female limited epilepsy (PCDH19-FE) present a remarkable reduction in allopregnanolone blood levels. However, no information is available on other neuroactive steroids and the steroidogenic response to hormonal stimulation. For this reason, we evaluated allopregnanolone, pregnanolone, and pregnenolone sulfate by liquid chromatographic procedures coupled with electrospray tandem mass spectrometry in 12 unrelated patients and 15 age-matched controls. We also tested cortisol, estradiol, progesterone, and 17OH-progesterone using standard immunoassays. Apart from estradiol and progesterone, all the considered hormones were evaluated in basal condition and after stimulation with adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH). A generalized decrease in blood levels of almost all measured neuroactive steroids was found. When considering sexual development, cortisol and pregnenolone sulfate basal levels were significantly reduced in postpubertal girls affected by PCDH19-FE. Of interest, ACTH administration did not recover pregnenolone sulfate serum levels but restored cortisol to control levels. In prepubertal girls with PCDH19-FE, by challenging adrenal function with ACTH we disclosed defects in the production of cortisol, pregnenolone sulfate, and 17OH-progesterone, which were not apparent in basal condition. These findings point to multiple defects in peripheral steroidogenesis associated with and potentially relevant to PCDH19-FE. Some of these defects could be addressed by stimulating adrenocortical activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina Trivisano
- Neurology Unit, Department of Neuroscience, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy.,Clinic of Nervous System Diseases, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy
| | - Chiara Lucchi
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy.,Department of Neurosciences, NOCSAE Hospital, AUSL Modena, Modena, Italy
| | - Cecilia Rustichelli
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Alessandra Terracciano
- Unit of Molecular Medicine, Department of Neuroscience, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Raffaella Cusmai
- Neurology Unit, Department of Neuroscience, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Grazia Maria Ubertini
- Unit of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Department of Pediatrics, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Germana Giannone
- Department of Chemistry, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Enrico Silvio Bertini
- Unit of Molecular Medicine, Department of Neuroscience, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Federico Vigevano
- Neurology Unit, Department of Neuroscience, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Jozef Gecz
- School of Medicine and the Robinson Research Institute, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.,South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Giuseppe Biagini
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy.,Department of Neurosciences, NOCSAE Hospital, AUSL Modena, Modena, Italy
| | - Nicola Specchio
- Neurology Unit, Department of Neuroscience, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
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Zamora-Sánchez CJ, Hansberg-Pastor V, Salido-Guadarrama I, Rodríguez-Dorantes M, Camacho-Arroyo I. Allopregnanolone promotes proliferation and differential gene expression in human glioblastoma cells. Steroids 2017; 119:36-42. [PMID: 28119080 DOI: 10.1016/j.steroids.2017.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2016] [Revised: 11/18/2016] [Accepted: 01/12/2017] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Allopregnanolone (3α-THP) is one of the main reduced progesterone (P4) metabolites that is recognized as a neuroprotective and myelinating agent. 3α-THP also induces proliferation of different neural cells. It has been shown that P4 favors the progression of glioblastomas (GBM), the most common and aggressive primary brain tumors. However, the role of 3α-THP in the growth of GBMs is unknown. Here, we studied the effects of 3α-THP on the number of cells, proliferation and gene expression in U87 cell line derived from a human GBM. 3α-THP (10, 100nM and 1μM) increased the number of U87 cells, and at 10nM exerted a similar increase in both the number of total and proliferative U87 cells as compared with P4 (10nM). Interestingly, finasteride (F; 100nM), an inhibitor of 5α-reductase (5αR), an enzyme necessary to metabolize P4 and produce 3α-THP, blocked the increase in the number of U87 cells induced by P4. By using RT-qPCR, we determined that U87 cells express 5α-R isoenzymes 1 and 2 (5αR1 and 5αR2), being 5αR1 the predominant one in these cells. 3α-THP (10nM) increased the expression of TGFβ1, EGFR, VEGF and cyclin D1 genes. P4 increased TGFβ1 and EGFR expression, and this effect was blocked by F. These data provide evidence that P4, through its metabolite 3α-THP, can promote in part cell proliferation of human GBM cells by changing the expression of genes involved in tumor progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmen J Zamora-Sánchez
- Unidad de Investigación en Reproducción Humana, Instituto Nacional de Perinatología-Facultad de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Mexico
| | | | | | | | - Ignacio Camacho-Arroyo
- Unidad de Investigación en Reproducción Humana, Instituto Nacional de Perinatología-Facultad de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Mexico.
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Qiu ZK, He JL, Liu X, Zeng J, Chen JS, Nie H. Anti-PTSD-like effects of albiflorin extracted from Radix paeoniae Alba. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2017; 198:324-330. [PMID: 27993636 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2016.12.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2016] [Revised: 12/06/2016] [Accepted: 12/15/2016] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY RELEVANCE Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a severe psychiatric disorder that is characterized by symptoms of re-experiencing, avoidance and hyperarousal, as well as social and professional dysfunction at least one month after the exposure to a traumatic event. Biosynthesis of allopregnanolone has been suggested as one of the important contributors to PTSD. Albiflorin (AF) extracted from Radix paeoniae Alba had been shown to be effective in the therapy of depression. However, few studies were concerned about the anti-PTSD-like effects of AF. AIM OF THE STUDY The current study aimed to evaluate the anti-PTSD-like effects of AF in an animal model and its possible mechanism. MATERIALS AND METHODS To evaluate this, the single prolonged stress (SPS) model was used in the present study. The SPS rats were administered by AF (at doses of 3.5, 7 and 14.0mg/kg, i.g.) after induction of SPS from days 2-13. After the exposure to SPS, behavioral assessments were conducted, including contextual fear paradigm (CFP), elevated plus-maze test (EPMT), open-field test (OFT). The rats were decapitated at the end of the behavioral tests and levels of allopregnanolone in prefrontal cortex, hippocampus and amygdala were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS It had been shown that behavioral deficits of SPS rats were reversed by AF (7.0 and 14.0mg/kg, i.g.), which attenuated the PTSD-like associated contextual freezing behavior in CFP and improved PTSD-like associated anxiogenic behavior in EPMT without affecting locomotor activity in OFT. Moreover, decreased levels of allopregnanolone in prefrontal cortex, hippocampus, and amygdala were reversed by AF (7.0 and 14.0mg/kg, i.g.), respectively. CONCLUSION In summary, the present study indicated that AF exerted the anti-PTSD-like effects, which maybe associated with allopregnanolone biosynthesis in the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi-Kun Qiu
- College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, PR China; Pharmaceutical Department of the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Clinical Pharmacy Department of Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou 510080, PR China
| | - Jia-Li He
- Department of Endocrinology, Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510120, PR China
| | - Xu Liu
- Pharmacy Department of General Hospital of Chinese People's Armed Police Forces, Beijing 100039, PR China
| | - Jia Zeng
- Pharmaceutical Department of the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Clinical Pharmacy Department of Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou 510080, PR China
| | - Ji-Sheng Chen
- Pharmaceutical Department of the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Clinical Pharmacy Department of Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou 510080, PR China.
| | - Hong Nie
- College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, PR China.
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Ke Y, Gonthier R, Labrie F. A sensitive and accurate LC-MS/MS assay with the derivatization of 1-Amino-4-methylpiperazine applied to serum allopregnanolone, pregnenolone and androsterone in pre- and postmenopausal women. Steroids 2017; 118:25-31. [PMID: 27913096 DOI: 10.1016/j.steroids.2016.11.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2016] [Revised: 11/23/2016] [Accepted: 11/25/2016] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
The concentrations of allopregnanolone (Allopreg), pregnenolone (Preg) and androsterone (ADT) are very low in the circulation, especially in postmenopausal women, resulting in a considerable challenge for their accurate measurements in serum or plasma. In this report, a sensitive and reliable LC-MS/MS assay method has been developed using a simple sample preparation and the 1-Amino-4-methylpiperazine (AMP) derivatization procedure. A 5pg/ml (0.1pg on column) of low limit of quantitation has been achieved for Allopreg, Preg and ADT, with a sensitivity comparable to data obtained with the commercial reagent. The major benefit of this reagent is to limit the matrix effect since the excess amount of reagent can be removed during the reaction. Multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) from the derivatization of AMP not only increases the detection of these compounds but also provides a good resolution for Allopreg, Preg and ADT from interferences, especially for Allopreg from its isomers. Within the calibration range of 5pg/ml to 2000pg/ml, a good linearity was obtained with R>0.99 where the weighing factor is 1/X. Bias and coefficients of variance are within 15% for all QC levels. The matrix effect has been evaluated, well meeting the acceptance criteria according to the FDA guidelines. With this method, the concentrations of Allopreg, Preg and ADT in postmenopausal serum are in the range of 6.4-53.6pg/ml, 16.2-68.0pg/ml and 23.9-114.0pg/ml, respectively, while the ranges in premenopausal serum are 8.2-701.5pg/ml, 31.2-135.2pg/ml and 47.8-310.0pg/ml, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuyong Ke
- EndoCeutics Inc., 2795 Laurier Blvd, Suite 500, Quebec City, QC G1V 4M7, Canada.
| | - Renaud Gonthier
- EndoCeutics Inc., 2795 Laurier Blvd, Suite 500, Quebec City, QC G1V 4M7, Canada
| | - Fernand Labrie
- EndoCeutics Inc., 2795 Laurier Blvd, Suite 500, Quebec City, QC G1V 4M7, Canada.
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Qiu ZK, He JL, Liu X, Zhang GH, Zeng J, Nie H, Shen YG, Chen JS. The antidepressant-like activity of AC-5216, a ligand for 18KDa translocator protein (TSPO), in an animal model of diabetes mellitus. Sci Rep 2016; 6:37345. [PMID: 27886206 PMCID: PMC5122851 DOI: 10.1038/srep37345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2016] [Accepted: 10/27/2016] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Diabetes mellitus is a chronic disease that is associated with depression. Also, depression is common in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Translocator protein (18kDa) (TSPO) and allopregnanolone play an important role in the depression treatment. However, few studies have evaluated TSPO and allopregnanolone in the treatment of depression in T2DM. AC-5216, a ligand for TSPO, produces anxiolytic- and antidepressant-like effects in animal models. The present study aimed to explore antidepressant-like effects of AC-5216 on diabetic rats. Following the development of diabetic model induced by high fat diet (HFD) feeding and streptozotocin (STZ), AC-5216 (0.3 and 1 mg/kg, i.g.) elicited the antidepressant-like effects in behavioral tests while these activities were blocked by TSPO antagonist PK11195 (3 mg/kg, i.p.). The levels of allopregnanolone in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus were increased by AC-5216 (0.3 and 1 mg/kg, i.g.), which was antagonized by PK11195 (3 mg/kg, i.p.). The increased plasma glucose (PG) and decreased insulin (INS) in HFD-STZ rats were reversed by AC-5216 (0.3 and 1 mg/kg, i.g.). This study indicates that the antidepressant-like effects of AC-5216 on HFD-STZ rats, suggesting that TSPO may represent a novel therapeutic target for depression in T2DM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi-Kun Qiu
- Pharmaceutical Department of the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Clinical Pharmacy Department of Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, 510080, P.R. China
- College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, P.R. China
| | - Jia-Li He
- Department of Endocrinology, Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510120, P.R. China
| | - Xu Liu
- Pharmacy Department of General Hospital of Chinese People’s Armed Police Forces, Beijing 100039, P.R. China
- Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Beijing 100850, P.R. China
| | - Guan-Hua Zhang
- Neurosurgery Department of the Third Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510060, P.R. China
| | - Jia Zeng
- Pharmaceutical Department of the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Clinical Pharmacy Department of Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, 510080, P.R. China
| | - Hong Nie
- Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Beijing 100850, P.R. China
| | - Yong-Gang Shen
- Pharmaceutical Department of the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Clinical Pharmacy Department of Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, 510080, P.R. China
| | - Ji-Sheng Chen
- Pharmaceutical Department of the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Clinical Pharmacy Department of Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, 510080, P.R. China
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Karout M, Miesch M, Geoffroy P, Kraft S, Hofmann HD, Mensah-Nyagan AG, Kirsch M. Novel analogs of allopregnanolone show improved efficiency and specificity in neuroprotection and stimulation of proliferation. J Neurochem 2016; 139:782-794. [PMID: 27256158 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.13693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2015] [Revised: 05/04/2016] [Accepted: 05/24/2016] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
The natural neurosteroid allopregnanolone exerts beneficial effects in animal models of neurodegenerative diseases, nervous system injury and peripheral neuropathies. It not only has anti-apoptotic activity, but also promotes proliferation of progenitor cells. With respect to using it as a therapeutic tool, such pleiotropic actions might create unwanted side effects. Therefore, we have synthesized allopregnanolone analogs and analyzed their neuroprotective and proliferative effects to identify compounds with higher efficiency and less ambiguous biological actions. Proliferation-promoting effects of 3α and 3β isomers of 3-O-allyl-allopregnanolone and 12 oxo-allopregnanolone were studied in adult subventricular zone stem cell cultures and in primary hippocampal cultures by measuring 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine incorporation. Neuroprotective activity against amyloid beta 42-induced cell death was determined by quantifying caspase 3/7 activity. The 3α isomers significantly stimulated proliferation in all culture systems, whereas the 3β isomers were ineffective. The stimulatory effect of 3α-O-allyl-allopregnanolone was significantly higher than that of allopregnanolone. In neural stem cell cultures, 3α-O-allyl-allopregnanolone specifically enhanced proliferation of Nestin-positive progenitors. In addition, it promoted the differentiation of doublecortin-positive neurons. In neural stem cell cultures treated with amyloid beta 42, both the α and β isomers of O-allyl- allopregnanolone showed increased neuroprotective activity as compared to allopregnanolone, completely preventing amyloid-induced caspase 3/7 activation. The 12 oxo-allopregnanolone analogs were ineffective. These results identify structural allopregnanolone analogs with higher anti-apoptotic and proliferation-promoting activity than the natural neurosteroid. Interestingly, stereoisomers of the analogs were found to have distinct profiles of activity raising the possibility of exploiting the neuroprotective properties of neurosteroids with or without simultaneously stimulating neurogenesis. Cover Image for this issue: doi: 10.1111/jnc.13344.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mona Karout
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Department of Neuroanatomy, ZfN, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Albertstr. 23, D-79104, Freiburg, Germany.,Biopathologie de la Myéline, Neuroprotection et Stratégies Thérapeutiques, INSERM U1119, Fédération de Médecine Translationnelle de Strasbourg (FMTS), Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Michel Miesch
- Laboratoire de Chimie Organique Synthétique, UMR 7177, Institut de Chimie de l'Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Philippe Geoffroy
- Laboratoire de Chimie Organique Synthétique, UMR 7177, Institut de Chimie de l'Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Stephanie Kraft
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Department of Neuroanatomy, ZfN, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Albertstr. 23, D-79104, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Hans-Dieter Hofmann
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Department of Neuroanatomy, ZfN, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Albertstr. 23, D-79104, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Ayikoe Guy Mensah-Nyagan
- Biopathologie de la Myéline, Neuroprotection et Stratégies Thérapeutiques, INSERM U1119, Fédération de Médecine Translationnelle de Strasbourg (FMTS), Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Matthias Kirsch
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Department of Neuroanatomy, ZfN, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Albertstr. 23, D-79104, Freiburg, Germany
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Schumacher M, Denier C, Oudinet JP, Adams D, Guennoun R. Progesterone neuroprotection: The background of clinical trial failure. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 2016; 160:53-66. [PMID: 26598278 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2015.11.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2015] [Revised: 11/08/2015] [Accepted: 11/12/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Since the first pioneering studies in the 1990s, a large number of experimental animal studies have demonstrated the neuroprotective efficacy of progesterone for brain disorders, including traumatic brain injury (TBI). In addition, this steroid has major assets: it easily crosses the blood-brain-barrier, rapidly diffuses throughout the brain and exerts multiple beneficial effects by acting on many molecular and cellular targets. Moreover, progesterone therapies are well tolerated. Notably, increased brain levels of progesterone are part of endogenous neuroprotective responses to injury. The hormone thus emerged as a particularly promising protective candidate for TBI and stroke patients. The positive outcomes of small Phase 2 trials aimed at testing the safety and potential protective efficacy of progesterone in TBI patients then provided support and guidance for two large, multicenter, randomized and placebo-controlled Phase 3 trials, with more than 2000 TBI patients enrolled. The negative outcomes of both trials, named ProTECT III and SyNAPSE, came as a big disappointment. If these trials were successful, progesterone would have become the first efficient neuroprotective drug for brain-injured patients. Thus, progesterone has joined the numerous neuroprotective candidates that have failed in clinical trials. The aim of this review is a reappraisal of the preclinical animal studies, which provided the proof of concept for the clinical trials, and we critically examine the design of the clinical studies. We made efforts to present a balanced view of the strengths and limitations of the translational studies and of some serious issues with the clinical trials. We place particular emphasis on the translational value of animal studies and the relevance of TBI biomarkers. The probability of failure of ProTECT III and SyNAPSE was very high, and we present them within the broader context of other unsuccessful trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Schumacher
- U1195 Inserm and University Paris-Sud and University Paris-Saclay, 80 rue du Général Leclerc, 94276 Kremlin-Bicêtre, France.
| | - Christian Denier
- U1195 Inserm and University Paris-Sud and University Paris-Saclay, 80 rue du Général Leclerc, 94276 Kremlin-Bicêtre, France; Department of Neurology, CHU Bicêtre, 78 rue du Général Leclerc, 94275 Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
| | - Jean-Paul Oudinet
- U1195 Inserm and University Paris-Sud and University Paris-Saclay, 80 rue du Général Leclerc, 94276 Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
| | - David Adams
- U1195 Inserm and University Paris-Sud and University Paris-Saclay, 80 rue du Général Leclerc, 94276 Kremlin-Bicêtre, France; Department of Neurology, CHU Bicêtre, 78 rue du Général Leclerc, 94275 Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
| | - Rachida Guennoun
- U1195 Inserm and University Paris-Sud and University Paris-Saclay, 80 rue du Général Leclerc, 94276 Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
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Porcu P, Barron AM, Frye CA, Walf AA, Yang SY, He XY, Morrow AL, Panzica GC, Melcangi RC. Neurosteroidogenesis Today: Novel Targets for Neuroactive Steroid Synthesis and Action and Their Relevance for Translational Research. J Neuroendocrinol 2016; 28:12351. [PMID: 26681259 PMCID: PMC4769676 DOI: 10.1111/jne.12351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 120] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2015] [Revised: 12/12/2015] [Accepted: 12/12/2015] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Neuroactive steroids are endogenous neuromodulators synthesised in the brain that rapidly alter neuronal excitability by binding to membrane receptors, in addition to the regulation of gene expression via intracellular steroid receptors. Neuroactive steroids induce potent anxiolytic, antidepressant, anticonvulsant, sedative, analgesic and amnesic effects, mainly through interaction with the GABAA receptor. They also exert neuroprotective, neurotrophic and antiapoptotic effects in several animal models of neurodegenerative diseases. Neuroactive steroids regulate many physiological functions, such as the stress response, puberty, the ovarian cycle, pregnancy and reward. Their levels are altered in several neuropsychiatric and neurological diseases and both preclinical and clinical studies emphasise a therapeutic potential of neuroactive steroids for these diseases, whereby symptomatology ameliorates upon restoration of neuroactive steroid concentrations. However, direct administration of neuroactive steroids has several challenges, including pharmacokinetics, low bioavailability, addiction potential, safety and tolerability, which limit its therapeutic use. Therefore, modulation of neurosteroidogenesis to restore the altered endogenous neuroactive steroid tone may represent a better therapeutic approach. This review summarises recent approaches that target the neuroactive steroid biosynthetic pathway at different levels aiming to promote neurosteroidogenesis. These include modulation of neurosteroidogenesis through ligands of the translocator protein 18 kDa and the pregnane xenobiotic receptor, as well as targeting of specific neurosteroidogenic enzymes such as 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 10 or P450 side chain cleavage. Enhanced neurosteroidogenesis through these targets may be beneficial not only for neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease and age-related dementia, but also for neuropsychiatric diseases, including alcohol use disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrizia Porcu
- Neuroscience Institute, National Research Council of Italy (CNR), Cagliari, Italy
| | - Anna M. Barron
- Molecular Imaging Center, National Institute of Radiological Sciences, Anagawa, Inage-ku, Chiba, Japan
| | - Cheryl Anne Frye
- Institute of Arctic Biology, The University of Alaska–Fairbanks, Fairbanks, AK, USA
- The University at Albany, Albany, NY, USA
| | - Alicia A. Walf
- Institute of Arctic Biology, The University of Alaska–Fairbanks, Fairbanks, AK, USA
- The University at Albany, Albany, NY, USA
- Department of Cognitive Science, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY, USA
| | - Song-Yu Yang
- Department of Developmental Biochemistry, NYS Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities, Staten Island, NY, USA
| | - Xue-Ying He
- Department of Developmental Biochemistry, NYS Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities, Staten Island, NY, USA
| | - A. Leslie Morrow
- Departments of Psychiatry and Pharmacology, Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Gian Carlo Panzica
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Turin, and NICO - Neuroscience Institute Cavalieri Ottolenghi, Orbassano, Italy
| | - Roberto C. Melcangi
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
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Giatti S, Foglio B, Romano S, Pesaresi M, Panzica G, Garcia-Segura LM, Caruso D, Melcangi RC. Effects of Subchronic Finasteride Treatment and Withdrawal on Neuroactive Steroid Levels and Their Receptors in the Male Rat Brain. Neuroendocrinology 2016; 103:746-57. [PMID: 26646518 DOI: 10.1159/000442982] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2015] [Accepted: 11/30/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The enzymatic conversion of progesterone and testosterone by the enzyme 5alpha-reductase exerts a crucial role in the control of nervous function. The effects of finasteride in the brain, an inhibitor of this enzyme used for the treatment of human benign prostatic hyperplasia and androgenic alopecia, have been poorly explored. Therefore, the effects of a subchronic treatment with finasteride at low doses (3 mg/kg/day) and the consequences of its withdrawal on neuroactive steroid levels in plasma, cerebrospinal fluid and some brain regions as well as on the expression of classical and non-classical steroid receptors have been evaluated in male rats. After subchronic treatment (i.e., for 20 days) the following effects were detected: (i) depending on the compartment considered, alteration in the levels of neuroactive steroids, not only in 5alpha-reduced metabolites but also in its precursors and in neuroactive steroids from other steroidogenic pathways and (ii) an upregulation of the androgen receptor in the cerebral cortex and beta3 subunit of the GABA-A receptor in the cerebellum. One month after the last treatment (i.e., withdrawal period), some of these effects persisted (i.e., the upregulation of the androgen receptor in the cerebral cortex, an increase of dihydroprogesterone in the cerebellum, a decrease of dihydrotestosterone in plasma). Moreover, other changes in neuroactive steroid levels, steroid receptors (i.e., an upregulation of the estrogen receptor alpha and a downregulation of the estrogen receptor beta in the cerebral cortex) and GABA-A receptor subunits (i.e., a decrease of alpha 4 and beta 3 mRNA levels in the cerebral cortex) were detected. These findings suggest that finasteride treatment may have broad consequences for brain function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Giatti
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
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Giatti S, Romano S, Pesaresi M, Cermenati G, Mitro N, Caruso D, Tetel MJ, Garcia-Segura LM, Melcangi RC. Neuroactive steroids and the peripheral nervous system: An update. Steroids 2015; 103:23-30. [PMID: 25824325 PMCID: PMC6314841 DOI: 10.1016/j.steroids.2015.03.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2014] [Revised: 03/14/2015] [Accepted: 03/17/2015] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
Abstract
In the present review we summarize observations to date supporting the concept that neuroactive steroids are synthesized in the peripheral nervous system, regulate the physiology of peripheral nerves and exert notable neuroprotective actions. Indeed, neuroactive steroids have been recently proposed as therapies for different types of peripheral neuropathy, like for instance those occurring during aging, chemotherapy, physical injury and diabetes. Moreover, pharmacological tools able to increase the synthesis of neuroactive steroids might represent new interesting therapeutic strategy to be applied in case of peripheral neuropathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Giatti
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Simone Romano
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Marzia Pesaresi
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Gaia Cermenati
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Nico Mitro
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Donatella Caruso
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Marc J Tetel
- Neuroscience Program, Wellesley College, Wellesley, MA, USA
| | | | - Roberto C Melcangi
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy.
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